Minister Ritz Opening Doors to Russia for Canadian Producers

Market Wire, June, 2008

The Government of Canada continues to stand up for our farm families on the world stage, and that commitment was demonstrated during meetings between Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Russian Agriculture Minister Alexey Gordeyev and other officials.

"Canadian farmers produce some of the best pork and beef in the world and Russian consumers are looking for more of those products," said Minister Ritz, following a meeting of the Russia-Canada Agriculture Working Group of the Intergovernmental Economic Commission. "Through our discussions with Minister Gordeyev, our farmers will have new opportunities to put Canadian pork and beef in Russian grocery stores."

In addition to productive meetings between Minister Ritz and Minister Gordeyev, Canadian industry leaders held meetings with their Russian counterparts.

Russia imported more than 5,000 head of Canadian cattle last year as part of its efforts to reconstruct its national herd.

"These meetings built on our Government's work with the Russian Government to deliver benefits for agriculture in both countries," said Minister Ritz. "The Russian economy is growing fast and we are making sure Canada is poised to make the most of opportunities there."

Earlier this month, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency reached an agreement with Russian authorities on new pork meat certificates with enhanced security features. Canada exported $260 million in agriculture and agri-food products to Russia in 2007 - an increase of 160 per cent since 2005.

After completing the mission to Russia, Minister Ritz is traveling to Tokyo for meetings later this week with Japanese agriculture officials.

Contacts: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Ottawa, Ontario Media Relations 613-759-7972 1-866-345-7972 The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz Margaux Stastny Press Secretary 613-759-1059