Harper Government Secures Market Access for Live Cattle to Oman

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway Ed Fast announced today that Oman has opened its market for Canadian imports of live cattle. This new market is estimated to be valued at $900,000 annually according to the Canadian Livestock Genetics Association, representing a significant increase of agricultural exports to this country for Canada. "This is another significant step for Canadian producers interested in exporting to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, an important market for Canada's high-quality beef and cattle," said Minister Ritz. "The Harper Government knows that more exports mean more jobs for Canadians and represents economic growth overall."

Regional Ranching Project to Strengthen Local Beef Sales

Community Futures Fraser Fort George, through the Beyond the Market project, has launched the Beef Value Chain Initiative to give ranchers in the Highway 16 region more opportunity to showcase their quality beef in the marketplace. “The beef industry is a complicated one,” says Program Coordinator Jillian Merrick. “There are dozens of steps involved in producing beef before it ever reaches your plate. From breeding, to birth, to weaning, then backgrounding, finishing, processing, butchering, packing, transportation and finally marketing and sales – the system adds more value and complexity each step of the way.”

Harper Government Supports Livestock Traceability and International Marketing at Agribition

Regina, Saskatchewan, November 19, 2012 – The Harper Government has invested in Canadian Western Agribition to track the movement of all livestock entering and leaving the exhibition grounds as well as to promote Agribition in foreign markets, David Anderson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and for the Canadian Wheat Board and Member of Parliament for Cypress Hills—Grasslands, announced today on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. "Our Government's top priority remains the economy, and Canada's agriculture and agri-food industry plays an important role in creating jobs and keeping our economy strong," Anderson said. "These investments, totalling close to $250,000, will help enhance our traceability, animal health emergency management, and food safety systems, in addition to promoting our products in foreign markets, leading to increased profits for our farmers."

Harper Government Invests in Next Generation of Farm Leaders

Toronto, Ontario, November 19, 2012 - The Harper Government is helping the agricultural sector to foster a new generation of farm leaders. Member of Parliament Mark Adler (York Centre), on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, announced at the Ontario Young Farmers Forum in Toronto today an investment for two initiatives that will help to identify opportunities and address issues facing the next generation of farmers. "Our Government's top priority remains the economy, and Canada's agriculture industry plays an important role in creating jobs and keeping our economy strong," said MP Adler. "We are committed to providing new and young farmers with the educational and leadership development opportunities they need to give them a competitive advantage for the future."