MAUI, Hawaii—On news that Trans-Pacific Partnership’s chief negotiators and trade ministers will be meeting in Hawaii in the coming days, the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance, a coalition of national and regional organizations representing nearly 500,000 Canadians, has come out strongly in favour of the mammoth trade deal.

“Our members from across Canada’s agriculture and agri-food industry call on all political parties to ensure that Canada is part of this landmark trade agreement and that they support an ambitious, plurilateral and comprehensive TPP agreement,” CATFA president, Brian Innes, said in a statement.

The coalition said that as countries enter a critical juncture in the talks, the importance of participating in this historic deal with a region that represents 40 per cent of the world’s economic activity cannot be overstated.

CATFA is calling on leaders of parties to ensure that Canada remains fully-engaged in the TPP negotiations. Meanwhile, reports have emerged that Canada’s supply management systems for dairy and poultry could be a sticking point in talks, and that unwillingness to negotiate has jeopardized Canada’s place in the deal.

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“With the U.S. Congress having now granted President Obama Trade Promotion Authority, it should be clear to everyone that the TPP can be concluded quickly – with or without Canada,” the organization said.

“It is imperative that Canada is at the table when the TPP is finalized. The impact of the failure to achieve a plurilateral agreement would be felt throughout our economy, as our market share in TPP countries would begin to erode.”

See also: High stakes: trade deal making its mark on 40 per cent of the world’s GDP