Canada Regains Market Access for Poultry Meat to Mexico

/EINPresswire.com/ -- OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 03/24/16 -- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay and International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland announced today that Mexico has reopened its border to Canadian fresh poultry meat, including chicken, turkey and, most significant in terms of historical trade, duck meat. Mexico closed its borders in 2004 following an outbreak of Avian Influenza.

Canadian industry estimates that restored access to the Mexican market for fresh duck meat and other high-quality, fresh poultry meat will be worth approximately $3 million annually.

While Mexico still maintains limited Avian Influenza restrictions, the Government of Canada is working with Mexican authorities to remove these as quickly as possible.

This new market access comes on the heels of the February visit of Mexico's Secretary of Agriculture, Jose Calzada, where he and Minister MacAulay met to further strengthen the two countries' longstanding partnership in agricultural trade.

Quick Facts

                    
                    --  Canada and Mexico have a strong and complementary trading relationship
                        with approximately $3.8 billion in bilateral trade in agriculture and
                        food products in 2015.
                    --  Canada and Mexico have over 70 years of diplomatic relations and more
                        than 20 years of partnership through the North American Free Trade
                        Agreement.
                    --  Canadian and Mexican government and industry officials plan to meet in
                        Mexico in May, 2016 at the Canada-Mexico Partnership Agri-Business
                        Working Group and the Canada-Mexico Consultative Committee on
                        Agriculture to further explore how to deepen their bilateral
                        relationship.
                    
                    

Quote

"The Government of Canada is pleased that the Mexican market has reopened for additional Canadian poultry products. We continue to work closely with industry to expand international markets for high-quality Canadian products. I look forward to our continued trade relationship in agriculture and food."

- Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, P.C., M.P., Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"Mexico is a hugely important market for Canadian exporters. This improved access for Canadian poultry reflects our government's strong support for Canadians working in this sector. I look forward to building on this success and our trade relations with our NAFTA partner Mexico."

- Hon. Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., Minister of International Trade

"The Quebec Duck and Geese Breeders Association welcomes the recent agreement between the Governments of Canada and Mexico, which will soon enable Quebec producers to resume exports to Mexico after a 10-year embargo. This agreement will help to progressively regain the position lost in this rapidly growing market, with a potential for annual sales of more than $3 million."

- Benoit Cuchet, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Quebec Duck and Geese Breeders Association

Associated Links

- Minister MacAulay Meets with Mexican Secretary of Agriculture Calzada in Ottawa

- Canadian Exports of Agri-Food and Seafood Products to Mexico

- Agriculture, Food and Beverage Profile - Mexico

- North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Follow us on Twitter: @AAFC_Canada

Like us on Facebook: CanadianAgriculture

Global Affairs Canada

Follow us on Twitter: @CanadaTrade

Contacts:
Guy Gallant
Director of Communications
The Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay
613-773-1059

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca