May 8, 2015 –Istanbul, Turkey – Agriculture and Agri-Food (AAFC)
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz has successfully concluded his second agricultural mission to Turkey where he participated in the G20 Ministerial Agricultural Meeting.
At the G20, Minister Ritz advocated agricultural innovation, including biotechnology, to increase safe food production, sustainably, and improve farmers’ incomes. He also called on G20 members to support international free trade to ensure producers and processors have the market access needed to feed the world’s growing population. The 20 members adopted a joint communiqué that supports information sharing on agricultural technologies and markets.
While in Istanbul, Minister Ritz met with Turkish Agriculture Minister Mehmet Mehdi Eker and secured an agreement to open market access for Canadian breeding cattle to Turkey estimated to be worth $4.5 million annually.
Minister Ritz took the opportunity to discuss growing Canada’s agricultural trade with the European Union Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan. The Minister and Commissioner welcomed the signing of the Canada-EU Free Trade Agreement and agreed on the need for a timely implementation of the deal. Minister Ritz also met with other key partners including Ministers of Agriculture from Japan, China, and India.
Emily Hogeveen
Press Secretary
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
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