Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) welcomes the news that Canada and Japan will initiate negotiations towards a comprehensive trade agreement with Japan.
MBP wants to especially thank Prime Minister Stephen Harper; Hon. Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; and Hon. Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, for their ongoing work at tearing down barriers to Canadian exports. If successful, these negotiations will significantly increase market opportunities for Manitoba’s beef producers.
“Beef producers in Manitoba depend on trade and access to new markets,” said Cam Dahl, MBP general manager. “We are pleased the federal government is working on reducing trade barriers. New trade access will strengthen prices and drive new growth of our beef herd in the province.”
Japan is one of Canada’s key agricultural trading partners. Beef producers would benefit from a comprehensive Japan-Canada trade agreement which provides full tariff-free access for Canadian beef and MBP looks forward to that possible outcome of these negotiations.
“The Government of Canada and the beef industry have worked closely together in recent years to open international markets and create opportunities for Canadian producers,” said Dahl.
MBP believes this partnership has been very successful and that it is a model of successful government/industry cooperation. Our cooperative work in these negotiations will be a continuation of these successful efforts.
