July 29, 2008
No. 168
The Government of Canada is working hard to create new market opportunities for Canadian agricultural and manufa acturing exporters, and is disappointed the Doha Round negotiations have been suspended. Since July 21, 2008, International Trade Minister Michael M Fortier and Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz have been in Geneva to advance Canadian trade positions both t hrough negotiations within the World Trade Organization and through individual bilateral meetings with other nations.
"Canada is a trading nation, and the growth and prosperity of our manufacturers, service providers and agricultural producers are improved by access to new markets," stated Minister Fortier.
"We are disappointed with the breakdown in the neg otiations, but the WTO remains important to Canada," said Minister Fortier. "Despite the impasse, we will continue to press for new trade opportunities, through bilateral agreements and renewed efforts at the multilateral level, to continue to build the strong Canadian economy."
Ministers Fortier and Ritz travelled to Geneva to join their colleagues from around the world to secure a new agreement for fair, rules-based, lib eralized international trade. The WTO offers real opportunities to expand market access for Canadian goods and services while reducing unfair agricultural subsidies. Unfortunately, wide gaps between the positions of many countries could not be bridged and the talks had to be suspended.
"Canada entered the WTO talks with a balanced agricultural policy to deliver real gains for all Canadian farm families," said Minister Ritz. "We worked hard to expand markets for our exporters and we consistently stood up for supply-managed sectors, and will continue to do so.
"It is unfortunate that countries could not come together to level the international playing field for agricultural trade, but the Government will be there to move the WTO talks forward whenever they resume."
The Government of Canada will continue to actively consult with the provinces and stakeholders regarding Canada's trade agenda.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Christopher Hilton
Director of Communica tions
Office of the Minister of International Trade
613-862-4364
Tr ade Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-996-2000
www.international.gc.ca/index.aspx
Margaux Stastny
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
613-759-1059
stastnym@agr.gc.ca
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
613-759-7972
1-866-345-7972 (toll free)
agriculture.canada.ca
