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16 ing economic opportunities for Canada by strengthening its regional partnerships, including with Japan. It clearly succeeded.

And in announcing full market access, the government noted how the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, with the support of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, “has worked tirelessly over the past few years to assert the highest production standards and quality assurance of Canadian beef in order to reopen full access in key markets, like Japan.”

Beef exports play a huge role in helping the country’s trade picture. But while helping arrange access on one hand, Canada’s beef producers say

Ottawa is failing them on farms and ranches by not recognizing their role in environmental sustainability.

Some members of the public point fingers at cattle for contributing to greenhouse gas through methane production. But cattle also fertilize grass in pastures, which sequesters carbon.

Where’s the balance?

Ottawa hasn’t put forward a clear research-based position on this, which is concerning to farmers and ranchers. I suspect our export markets wonder too, given that they are counting on a reliable flow of beef, from a sector that has its government’s full endorsement, publicly and privately.