“While negotiations are underway between Canada and the European Union for entering into a comprehensive economic and trade agreement, we must ensure that we are able to seize every opportunity offered to the Canadian agri-food industry – once the agreement has been signed – by positioning ourselves now in European markets,” stated Minister of National Revenue and Minister of State (Agriculture) Jean-Pierre Blackburn. He and Canadian trade commissioners in Europe participated in the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada round table which was held today as part of the ANUGA trade fair currently underway in Cologne, Germany.
Europe is a major market for Canada. It is Canada’s third largest agri-food export market after the United States and Japan. “We believe that this economic partnership will become even greater in the future,” said the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn. “Maintaining sound international trade conditions requires that we be proactive. There is no doubt that a comprehensive economic and trade agreement between Canada and the European Union will foster even more trade.”
In 2007, the countries of the European Union imported $3 billion of Canadian food products. “Canada can provide even more of our excellent food products to the European market and ANUGA is a prime location for increasing our business,” concluded the Minister.
Minister Blackburn also took the opportunity to express his sincere thanks on behalf of the Government of Canada for the trade commissioners’ commitment to developing business relationships between Canadian companies and markets around the world, particularly here in Europe.
