UPSHALL JOINS AGRICULTURE MINISTERS MISSION TO BRAZIL, CHILE AND MEXICO

Released on August 27, 1998

Agriculture and Food Minister Eric Upshall will depart Monday Aug. 31

to participate in a Canadian agriculture ministers' mission to Latin

America led by federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lyle

Vanclief. The mission is scheduled for Aug. 31 to Sept. 12 and will

involve visits to Brazil, Chile and Mexico.



Upshall, along with six Saskatchewan companies and organizations

accepted an invitation from the federal Minister of Agriculture and

Agri-Food Canada and is one of five provincial ministers participating

in the mission.



"This is an excellent opportunity to reinforce Saskatchewan's

commitment to expand markets and attract partnerships and joint

ventures," Upshall said. "The mission is intended to assist agri-food

companies and associations to capture trade opportunities, with

government representatives present as valuable support to open the

doors."



The minister said the mission will support Saskatchewan's ongoing

efforts to effectively address trade policy and market access issues

as well as promote strategic alliances that could enhance trade and

lead to investment in Saskatchewan.

Upshall said Saskatchewan sales of agri-food products to Brazil

were valued at approximately $135 million in 1997, while Chile

purchased approximately $45 million and Mexico $192 million.



Saskatchewan companies and agencies represented in the mission

include: Infra Ready Products Ltd. of Saskatoon, Genex Swine

Group of Regina, Ag-West Biotech of Saskatoon, Yanez

International Commodities Inc. of Saskatoon, Canada Livestock

Services of Marsden and Saskatchewan Seed Potato Growers

Association. The Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership

(STEP) is also participating in the mission by working on behalf

of its member companies. The Saskatchewan contingent is among

the largest provincial participants in the mission.



Upshall said the Canadian Wheat Board, Canada Pork International,

Canadian Beef Breeds Council, Pulse Canada and the Canadian

Dehydrators Association are among those who will also be present

on this mission to promote Saskatchewan products.



Upshall said Brazil, Chile and Mexico are already important

buyers of Saskatchewan agricultural commodities such as wheat,

canary seed, pulse crops and meat products. Saskatchewan will

promote the fact that we have other high-quality agri-food

products for sale in addition to our traditional commodities.



It is important that Saskatchewan be seen as a leader in

developing markets for agri-food products and in attracting

investment in the agri-food industry. "We have a lot to offer,"

the minister said.

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For more information contact:



Julianne Jack

Media Services

Regina

Phone: (306)787-6349