As negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) are being held this week, agricultural and food organizations from four nations have come out united in calling for a “modern trade agreement that includes meaningful and comprehensive market access opportunities for agriculture and agri-food.”

The organizations from Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand advocating for an ambitious, fair and comprehensive TPP agreement represent hundreds of thousands of farmers, producers, processors and exporters who, in turn, employ millions of workers across the TPP region.

“A comprehensive agreement would encourage regional supply chains with production and processing occurring where competitive advantages exist,” said Brian Innes, president of the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance. “However, without a plurilateral agreement, the TPP could actually reduce market access for agri-food exporters.”

“Australian farmers are of the view that this agreement must deliver significant outcomes across the sector and thus across the economy,” National Farmers Federation President Mr. Brent Finlay said. “Agriculture has always been a strong supporter of trade and the benefits it brings across the broader community and the TPP must be seen in that light.”

“New Zealand farmers have always strongly supported the benefits of free trade, which include improved market access and reduce trade barriers for our exports,” added Dr. William Rolleston, president of Federated Farmers of New Zealand. “These barriers to exports reduce the ability of countries, including our own, to trade.”

“The TPP will only fulfill its promise of improved and increased trade in the Pacific region when it eliminates any barriers to trade, including tariff and non-tariff trade barriers,” said Bob Stallman, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. “U.S. agriculture has high expectations for the TPP, and we are calling on all countries involved to commit to a better agreement and freer trade worldwide.”

The TPP region represents 792 million consumers and 40 percent of world trade while also maintaining a coveted status as an integral part of global value chains. In fact, trade among TPP partners equaled over $2 trillion in 2012. While this number is considerable, the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance, the Australian National Farmers’ Federation, the American Farm Bureau and the Federated Farmers of New Zealand will continue to call for the elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers that currently exist among the member countries in order to increase the value of this trade market through additional sales of agricultural products.