Monitoring the impacts of international trade and investment agreements on food environments: a Canadian case study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To monitor the influence of international trade and investment agreements (TIA) on the food environment and population nutrition in Canada. DESIGN: Implementation of a revised version of the International Network for Food and Obesity/Non-communicable Diseases Research, Monitoring and Action Support (INFORMAS) trade and investment monitoring protocol to guide descriptive analysis of quantitative trade and investment data over the period 1994 to 2021/22 as well as qualitative review of policy documents related to nutrition regulations and trade concerns. SETTING: Canada, which has fifteen TIA in force with fifty-one countries as of 2024. RESULTS: Extensive tariff reductions occurred in 1995 with the introduction of the World Trade Organization (WTO), with minimal tariff reductions since that time. Tariff rates were generally highest on ultra-processed focus foods, though many countries gained tariff-free access over the study period. There were large surges in imports of dairy products, meats, sugars and soft drinks after joining the WTO, while exports of grains, dairy products, sugars, processed meats, ready-to-eat meals and sauces saw substantial growth. Foreign direct investment into Canada's food manufacturing sector increased consistently, reaching $32·6 billion in 2020-2022. Canada has raised several specific trade concerns at the WTO over other countries' nutrition labelling policies, and some of the challenged policies have subsequently been abandoned, modified or delayed. CONCLUSIONS: Increased trade and investment openness in Canada appears linked to changes in food imports, exports and foreign investment that may impact the nutritional quality of food environments. Monitoring how trade agreements shape national food supplies is critical to developing trade policies that improve nutrition in alignment with public health goals at home and abroad.

Ähnliche Arbeiten