Released on July 18, 2008
Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud will be travelling to Geneva this weekend to take part in World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations.
Minister Bjornerud will be pushing the federal government to focus on increased trade opportunities which are vital to Saskatchewan's agriculture export interests. The Minister will also be meeting with industry, representatives from other provinces, a number of foreign delegations and WTO officials to pursue Saskatchewan's interests.
"Our producers need access to key international markets," Bjornerud said. "Trade barriers and trade distorting subsidies are serious issues that need to be addressed. Our focus is to work toward an agreement that achieves the greatest possible gains for Saskatchewan producers."
More than 96 per cent of Saskatchewan farm cash receipts are from commodities reliant on international markets. The future prosperity of Saskatchewan's agriculture industry is dependent upon a successful conclusion to the current round of negotiations.
The Geneva negotiations will involve approximately 35 countries. The meetings open on Monday, July 21 and are expected to run through to Friday, July 25.
According to a recent report by the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance, a new WTO agreement could increase Canada's seven major agricultural exports (beef, pork, wheat, barley, canola, soybeans and peas) by $3 billion U.S. annually.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Jenna Webb
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2359
Email: jenna.webb@gov.sk.ca