Canada supports agricultural trade at WTO

December 12, 2017 - Ottawa, Ontario

Ensuring a predictable and progressive global trade environment helps Canada’s agricultural exporters remain competitive in today’s economy and creates opportunities for middle-class Canadians. To advance this priority, Canada is working with World Trade Organization (WTO) members in support of balanced global trade governance at the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade, and the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, are pleased to announce that Canada signed the Joint Ministerial Statement on Trade in Food and Agricultural Products. The statement re-affirms the central importance of science and risk analysis to protect public health while enabling the safe use of pesticides. 

Canada continues to support efforts to ensure that the global trade community makes decisions based on science. Doing so improves market predictability for Canada’s farmers and processors, and provides stability for Canadian consumers.

Quotes

“Canada advocates for science-based and evidence-based decision making. Canada believes it is crucial to work collaboratively to reduce and eliminate unjustified non-tariff measures, particularly in the agricultural sector, and reaffirm our commitment towards science-based and evidence-based decision making at the WTO. 

- François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade

“The Government of Canada supports an effective, transparent and science-based trade environment for Canadian farmers and processors. Canada’s agricultural exports are a key driver of the Canadian economy, and our government is working hard to ensure predictability for trade, which will help increase innovation and productivity, while strengthening the middle class.‎”

- Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Quick facts

• Canada's agriculture and agri-food industry is a powerful driver of Canada economy, providing one in eight jobs to Canadians.
• In 2016, Canada’s agriculture and food exports set a new record of over $60 billion.

Associated links

• Joint Ministerial Statement on Trade in Food and Agricultural products
• Canada and the World Trade Organization
• World Trade Organization
• Agro-food trade issues

Contacts

Pierre-Olivier Herbert
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Trade
343-203-7332

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter: @CanadaTrade
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Guy Gallant
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay
613-773-1059

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
Follow us on Twitter: @AAFC_Canada
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