European Union slams Canada for holding up free-trade negotiations

ENNISKILLEN, Northern Ireland – The European Union is taking the unusual step of publicly criticizing Canada for holding up long-running free-trade talks.

EU trade spokesman John Clancy says while the Europeans have shown what he calls “pragmatism and flexibility” and are ready to get a deal done, Canada has not done the same.

Clancy released a statement as the G8 summit in Northern Ireland came to a close.

He says the EU has been waiting since Canadian and European trade and agriculture ministers met in February for Canada to send a similar message that it is ready to make a political breakthrough.

Among the issues believed to be stalling the talks is duty-free access to European markets for Canadian beef.

Ireland and France — two major beef producers — are believed to have concerns about the amount of Canadian beef allowed into Europe, while Canada is said to have balked at the export limit put forward by the Europeans during their talks.