A senate committee is in Calgary this week to get input from farmers on international trade deals, including the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

The 12-country agreement would set the rules for more than a third of the world's trade, reducing tariffs on a large range of commodities like canola, fish and seafood, forestry products and industrial goods.

Ward Toma, general manager of the Alberta Canola Producers Commission, says the TPP could help producers solve disputes around trade issues more easily. (CBC)

Ward Toma, general manager of the Alberta Canola Producers Commission, says the province's agriculture industry stands to benefit from the TPP.

It allows for us to access markets into the future. It allows for us to be competitive against our competitors," he said.

"Having the rules put in place around non-tariff trade barriers so that we can solve disputes around trade issues is very important for us."

The senate committee will put out a report with recommendations on international trade next March.

Canada has up to two years to decide whether to ratify the TPP.

Toma says canola producers in Alberta export up to 85 per cent of their crop to international markets, like the U.S. and Japan.

"So having that agreement signed, having the rules put in place around non-tariff trade barriers so that we can solve disputes around trade issues is very important for us," he said.

"It allows for us to access markets into the future. It allows for us to be competitive against our competitors. So that farmers in Alberta and Canada can compete and make a living for themselves, their families and their employees."

Senator Terry Mercer says some in the agriculture industry, including dairy farmers, are worried about the impact of cheaper foreign competition. But he says most are supportive of the TPP.

"There are certain aspects of the ag industry who are going to have some competition they didn't have before, but I think the opportunities are so great."