Posted on 04/21/2010, 3:01 pm, by mySteinbach

Canada will take a leading role in agricultural trade relations by hosting the Cairns Group Ministerial Meeting in 2011. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz made the announcement at the conclusion of the 2010 Cairns Group Ministerial Meeting in Punta del Este, Uruguay.
 
“Canadian farmers want to make their living in the marketplace and bringing the Cairns Group Ministerial Meeting to Canada will show the world what we have to offer,” said Minister Ritz. “Our Government is creating new opportunities for our agricultural exporters while standing up for key sectors and defending supply management. Hosting the Cairns Group is an opportunity to drive a strong and balanced agenda to strengthen international agricultural trade.”
 
The Cairns Group is a coalition of 19 agricultural exporting countries with a commitment to strengthening agricultural trade. Canada is the world’s fourth largest exporter of agriculture and food products with 2009 trade figures at just over $35 billion.
 
While in Uruguay this week, Minister Ritz also took the opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with international trade counterparts to discuss market access and outstanding trade issues.
 
Uruguay was the last stop of Minister Ritz’ latest agriculture trade mission that concluded in historic partnerships between China and Canada.
 
For information about the Cairns Group, please visit: www.cairnsgroup.org.