Minister Carr meets with pork industry in Winnipeg

August 6, 2019 - Winnipeg, Manitoba - Global Affairs Canada

The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of Canada’s pork industry and the jobs that depend on Canadian meat exports. Canadian producers provide high-quality, safe food to both Canadians and trading partners.

Today, the Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification, held a round table with pork farmers and producers in Winnipeg. During the roundtable, the Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to resolving issues that affect market access for Canadian meat exports to China. Minister Carr also discussed programs and services offered by the Government of Canada to support exporters and help them expand into new markets and benefit from the opportunities created by recent free trade agreements.

Strong collaboration between industry and the Government of Canada at all levels is important to resuming market access for Canada’s meat exports to China. The Government of Canada will continue to work closely with industry, as well as provincial and territorial partners, to mitigate impacts on the sector and restore market access for Canadian producers and exporters.

This round table offered an opportunity for Minister Carr to reiterate the government’s commitment to reopening the Chinese market as soon as possible, and to maintaining market access for Canada’s high-quality meat products.

Quotes

“Canada has a strong reputation as an efficient and reliable supplier of high-quality products, which has helped to build the confidence and trust of buyers from around the world. As we work to resolve this issue, we will continue to explore opportunities for businesses of all sizes to diversify into new markets.”
- Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification

“The safety and high quality of Canadian products are recognized around the world thanks to the hard work of our agricultural producers. We will continue to work closely with the meat industry to ensure that Canadian pork and beef producers are able to maintain access to their current export markets, develop new ones and continue to prosper.”
- Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Quick facts

Canada has launched an investigation into inauthentic export certificates of products of unknown origin.
Canada has agreed to implement China’s emergency request to not issue certificates for pork and beef exports to China.
Manitoba is a major producer and exporter of pork, representing 26.5% of total pork exports from Canada to international markets, valued at over $1 billion in sales.
In 2018, China represented Canada’s third-largest pork export market, valued at $514 million, and fifth-largest beef export market, valued at $97.3 million.
On July 25, 2019, the Government of Canada announced an investment of up to $6 million to Canada Pork International to strengthen, diversify and grow Canada’s pork exports in priority markets around the world.
Under its Trade Diversification Strategy, Canada is investing $1.1 billion in the transport corridors and trade promotion services that connect Canadians with customers and partners in CETA, the CPTPP, and other overseas markets.

Associated links

Contacts

Michael Jones
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Trade Diversification
343-550-2368
[email protected]

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
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