Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food : Harper Government Helping to Boost International Sales of Special Crops and Pulses
06/27/2012| 02:43pm US/Eastern
Recommend:
News releases are also available via our
RSS Feeds .
Montreal, Quebec, June 27, 2012 - Agriculture Minister Gerry
Ritz delivered the keynote address today at the 26th Annual
Convention of the Canadian Special Crops Association (CSCA),
where he was honoured as this year's recipient of the
President's Award. In keeping with the convention's
theme, Supplying the World, Minister Ritz outlined the many
reasons why the Harper Government continues to help the
special crops and pulse industries increase international
sales.
"Our Government is working hard to help Canada's
special crops and pulse sector supply the world with more of
their healthy, superior products," said Minister Ritz.
"By giving special crops producers the opportunity to
bring their products to new markets, the Harper Government is
helping increase sales, which in turn creates jobs and
economic growth for Canada."
In his speech, Minister Ritz emphasized the importance of
deepening trade and investment opportunities for the sector
through the negotiation of free trade agreements with major
pulse and special crops customers, such as the European
Union, India and Morocco. During his recent trade mission to
Morocco, Minister Ritz met with Canadian industry
representatives and Moroccan pulse and special crops buyers
to find out what the Government can do to strengthen this
relationship. He also visited the Canada Pavilion at the
Salon International de l'Agriculture au Maroc (SIAM),
Africa's largest agricultural trade show, which showcased
Canadian pulses.
The Harper Government is providing exporters with sales
opportunities in new markets, a commitment most recently
underscored by news that the first-ever commercial shipment
of Canadian alfalfa hay entered China after Canada secured
market access. By focusing on science-based trade, regulation
harmonization and the development of internationally
recognized phytosanitary standards, including maximum residue
levels for crop inputs, the Harper Government is working to
ensure more predictable trade for pulse and special crops.
The Harper Government recognizes the importance of efficient
and effective trade routes as the lynchpin to new
opportunities for special crops and pulse industries in
global markets. In his speech, the Minister acknowledged the
tremendous work being done by the Canadian Special Crops
Association and Pulse Canada on the Crop Logistics Working
Group, which continues to seek concrete solutions to
supply-chain challenges. Furthermore, the Government is
continuing to implement its response to the Rail Freight
Service Review to address issues with rail freight service.
Canada is the world leader in the export of peas, lentils,
canary seed and mustard seed, with total exports of pulses
and special crops reaching $2.5 billion in 2011.
For more information, media may contact:
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
Meagan Murdoch
Director of Communications
The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059
To obtain a news release that is more than five years old,
contact mediar@agr.gc.ca.
distributed by
|
|
Recommend :
