Minister MacAulay Heads Trade Mission to Europe

OTTAWA, Oct. 6, 2017 /CNW/ - As part of the Government's efforts to foster growth for farmers through new export opportunities and well-paying jobs, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay will lead a trade mission to Germany, Belgium and Italy from Oct. 7 to 17, 2017.

With the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) provisionally applied, the Minister will be in Europe with Canadian industry leaders to build new market access into the EU for Canada's key agricultural product exports, such as beef, pork, grains, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables, and processed products.

In Germany, Minister MacAulay will participate in ANUGA, the world's largest food and beverage trade show, where Canada's agricultural sector will be showcasing Canadian goods and promoting CETA's export opportunities. In Belgium, Minister MacAulay will hold bilateral meetings with senior EU representatives, host meetings with key European industry stakeholders, and tour the Port of Antwerp, a gateway into the EU for Canadian agriculture products. In Italy, the Minister will attend the G7 Agriculture Ministers' meetings and attend World Food Day events in Rome with His Holiness Pope Francis.

The Minister will have the opportunity to engage with and support Canada's agricultural industry at ANUGA, as well as during meetings with key European buyers and distributors in both Belgium and Italy.

Quotes

"CETA will expand our agri-food trade with Europe, by providing comprehensive duty-free access. It will create a united market of 35 million Canadians and 500 million Europeans. This historic agreement will encourage investment, open markets, and help hard-working farm families be more competitive around the world."
- The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Quick Facts

• CETA entered into provisional application on Sept. 21, 2017. 
• As of Sept. 21, almost 94 percent of EU agricultural tariffs are duty-free under CETA, and almost 96 percent of EU tariffs for fish and seafood products are also duty-free. Canadian exporters now have an advantage over competitors in countries that do not have a free trade agreement with the EU.
• ANUGA is the world's largest trade show for food and beverages, with approximately 160,000 visitors visiting some 7,200 estimated exhibitors.

Additional Links

• Tariffs plummet to zero today as Canada-European Union deal gets under way
• CETA for agri-food exporters
• ANUGA food fair
• European Union (EU) at a glance
• Germany at a glance
• Belgium at a glance
• Italy at a glance

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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada