Saskatchewan is welcoming a landmark trade deal between Canada and the European Union.

The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement [CETA] between Canada and the 28 countries that make up the European Union took effect on September 21.

The agreement could make a potential $1.5 billion in new Canadian agriculture-food exports to the EU when it's fully implemented in 2023.

Saskatchewan is currently the second-largest exporter in Canada [behind only Ontario] of agricultural products with the EU, with $962 million of business in 2016, which represents 26 per cent of the national agriculture-food exports to Europe.

Steven Bonk, the minister of economy and the minister responsible for tourism Saskatchewan, for Innovation, and for Trade, said that Saskatchewan is ready to take advantage of the increasing demand for food.

“Saskatchewan is now ideally placed to capture more of this market with the ever-increasing demand for high-quality food in a growing world, including the European Union," said Bonk. "Agriculture represents about 10 percent of our province’s GDP, and we have been relentless in our advocacy to reduce tariffs and trade barriers.”

The Canadian Agriculture-Food Trade Alliance estimates that about two-thirds of new potential market access provided by CETA, or $1 billion, will go toward beef and pork exports, followed by $300 million for processed foods, fruits and vegetables, $100 million for grains and oilseeds and $100 million for sugar-related products.

Agriculture Minister, Lyle Stewart talked about how Saskatchewan will rise to the occasion.

"Saskatchewan will provide more of our high-quality, safe, and nutritious agricultural products to a market of more than 500 million consumers," Stewart said. "History has shown that when our producers can compete on a level playing field, they will win, creating new growth, jobs and economic opportunity.”

Negotiations between Canada and the EU began in 2009 and concluded in February 2016.

Along with the federal government, provinces were actively involved in the other CETA-negotiated areas under provincial jurisdiction, including trade in services, investment and government procurement.