Harper Government Delivering Results for Canada's Grain Sector

News Release

April 15, 2014 - Winnipeg, Manitoba - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

On behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, attended the Canadian Global Crops Symposium in Winnipeg and announced an investment of $100,000 to the Canada Grains Council (CGC) to help the grain industry remain competitive over the long-term.

This investment from the AgriMarketing Program will help the CGC participate in various international roundtable discussions about barriers to trade and ensure that Canada's exporting interests are put forward. This will enable the CGC to forge strong international partnerships with industry and encourage other countries to adopt commercially viable trading policies that will benefit Canadian grain growers.

Quick Facts

The Canada Grains Council (CGC), established in 1969, was formed to coordinate efforts to increase the sale and use of Canadian grain in domestic and world markets. Today it carries out international grain trade advocacy on behalf of its members.
In 2012, the Canadian grain industry generated $18.6 billion in export sales.
The Government continues to pursue the most aggressive trade agenda in Canadian history, and recently signed the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement. This agreement will expand market access opportunities for Canadian grains.
On March 26, 2014, the Government of Canada introduced the Fair Rail for Grain Farmers Act to help Canadian grain get to market quickly and efficiently while maintaining a world-class system for transporting goods by rail.
This investment is made through AAFC's AgriMarketing Program, a five-year, $341-million initiative under Growing Forward 2.

Quotes

"Our Government's top priority remains jobs and economic growth, and helping farmers improve their productivity and competitiveness plays an important role in keeping the economy strong. Trade advocacy is vital to improving market opportunities for all stakeholders along the supply chain, and protecting Canada's grain industry from potential trade disruptions means open access to new and existing markets abroad."
- The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade

"The support of the Canadian government is key to the Canadian crop sector as we work to open and maintain export markets for our farmers and exporters."
- Richard Phillips, President of the Canada Grains Council

Associated Links

Contacts

Jeff English
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
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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Harper Government Delivering Results for Canada's Grain Sector

News Release

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