June 24, 2015 – Abbotsford, British Columbia – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
The Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture, and the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, and Member of Parliament for Abbotsford, today announced that Canada and China have agreed to sustained market access for fresh British Columbia blueberries.
Chinese inspectors are expected to visit Canada this summer to carry out a pre-shipment inspection and to authorize the first shipments of blueberries to China. Once fully implemented, the Canadian blueberry industry estimates new access to this important market to be worth $65 million annually.
On the occasion of this important announcement, Minister Fast and the Honourable Norm Letnick, British Columbia’s provincial Agriculture Minister, visited Westberry Farms in Abbotsford, British Columbia (B.C.) today to see first-hand how blueberry producers will benefit from this new market access.
Jeff English
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
Minister of Agriculture
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Max Moncaster
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Ed Fast
Minister of International Trade
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Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
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