Government of Canada Supports Meat Sector in Growing Export Markets

Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament – St. Catharines, on behalf of Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced an investment of up to $1,072,335 to the Canadian Meat Council (CMC) under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s AgriMarketing program, while attending the 99th Annual Conference in Niagara Falls, Ontario

This funding will help Canada’s strong and prosperous meat industry accommodate growing demands here and around the world.

In collaboration with the Canadian Pork Council (CPC) and the Canada Cattlemen’s Association (CCA), this investment will help the Canadian Meat Council undertake such activities as inspection visits by international officials to ensure that Canadian facilities meet food safety requirements.

“Building new and positive trade relationships brings greater value and diversity to Canada’s agri-food sector,” Minister Bibeau stated. “This funding will help the meat industry open new markets and promote their world-class products so they can stand out from the competition here in Canada and around the world.”

“We are thankful that the government recognizes the importance of foreign markets for the meat industry as the demand keeps growing for our high-quality Canadian meat around the world”

 

It will help build relationships with foreign industry partners, and also provide timely information and expertise for global trade missions. Increasing markets will benefit Canadian producers and processors and provide an avenue to maximize the value of pork and beef products.

“Agriculture is a priority for our government and providing farmers and processors with the tools they need to compete globally and capitalize on market opportunities is important,” MP Bittle added. “This funding will help make the agriculture industry in Ontario and across Canada even stronger and more competitive, supporting jobs and economic growth.”

In 2017, Canada exported pork and beef meat valued at $6.42 billion to over 125 countries around the world, proving the five-year Canadian Agricultural Partnership program promising $3 billion investment is strengthening the agriculture and agri-food sector.

“CMC along with CPC and CCA are grateful for the support given to our industry through the Agri-Marketing program,” said Chris White, President and CEO of Canadian Meat Council. “This funding allows us to do valuable advocacy by reaching out to our counterparts and build allies to help influence decision-making in these markets.”

The Canadian meat industry, as represented by the Canadian Meat Council, the Canadian Pork Council and the Canadian Cattlemen Association, primary aim is to endorse and build trade relationships with international export markets. The support of Ottawa is paramount to the success of that mandate.

“We are thankful that the government recognizes the importance of foreign markets for the meat industry as the demand keeps growing for our high-quality Canadian meat around the world.”

Source: AAFC