XPost: alt.france, alt.politics.europe   
   From: ConsRcons@cdn.ca   
      
   March 14, 2013 - The Globe and Mail   
      
      
   French PM outlines obstacles to Canada-EU trade deal   
      
   Ayrault indicates issues regarding agricultural goods, patent protection   
   and cultural diversity unresolved   
      
   French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault expressed hope that Canada and   
   the European Union would reach a trade deal soon but he indicated that   
   several key issues remain unresolved.   
      
   "There remains a final phase that we must overcome," Mr. Ayrault told   
   reporters Thursday after meeting Stephen Harper in Ottawa. Canada and   
   the EU have been negotiating a trade agreement since 2009 with the goal   
   of having it in place by the end of 2012. But negotiations have stalled   
   and Mr. Ayrault indicated that the major stumbling blocks are trade in   
   agricultural goods – in particular beef, poultry and pork products – as   
   well as patent protection and cultural diversity.   
      
   The EU is believed to be seeking better protection for pharmaceutical   
   patents, access to Canada's supply-managed dairy system and the ability   
   to sell to provincial Crown corporations. Canada wants lower EU duties   
   on Canadian-made cars and better access for beef and pork exports. Last   
   month, EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht threatened to scrap the   
   talks unless Canada offered more.   
      
   Canada had hoped to conclude a deal with the EU before the union begins   
   negotiations with the United States. It's not clear now if that will   
   happen, meaning Canada could get left behind as the EU shifts gears   
   toward the United States. Canadian officials have estimated that a trade   
   deal with the EU would boost two-way trade by 20 per cent and create   
   80,000 new jobs.   
      
   On Thursday, Mr. Harper acknowledged that several key issues remain   
   unresolved but added that Canada "will only sign a deal when we're   
   convinced we have a deal that's comprehensive and in the best interests   
   of the Canadian economy."   
   _______________________________   
   Posted: Sep 24, 2012   
   Canada-wide beef recall expands for 6th time   
   Federal recall now affecting 210 beef products produced in Alberta   
   ___________________________________   
   CFIA adds 200 more products to beef recall list   
   Thursday, Oct. 04 2012,   
   ____________________________________   
   'Shoot, shovel, shut up'   
   Edmonton Journal - September 17, 2003   
      
   Premier Ralph Klein has suggested that any "self-respecting rancher" would   
   have killed and buried the northern Alberta animal stricken with mad cow   
   disease, instead of taking it to a slaughterhouse.   
   ________________________________________   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)