The
Canadian Pork Council (CPC) said today it was pleased to accept the federal
government’s invitation to join a trade mission to the People’s Republic of
China.
Council
chairman Jean-Guy Vincent joined Prime Minister Stephen Harper, International
Trade Minister Ed Fast, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, Industry Minister James
Moore and Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz for the four-day mission to build
relationships, promote Canada's safe and top quality pork products and expand
and improve trade access to the country.
The
big news this week is that a new set of trade talks, this time including China
with Pacific-Rim countries, will begin soon.
“The
Chinese market is vitally important to the Canadian pork industry, with sales
to that country last year exceeding, for the first time, a quarter of a billion
dollars,” Vincent. said.
“The
federal government has worked tirelessly to grow this important market for our
products. Trade missions to China help to further strengthen this growing
business relationship,” he said by way of a news release from the Canadian Pork
Council.
This
was CPC’s second chance to participate in a trade mission to China this year
with the federal government.
"This
was a great opportunity to be part of an important event,” said Vincent.
‘”I
would like to thank Minister Ritz and the federal government for sending a
strong message about Canadian agriculture and our meat industry, and how Canada
produces safe and high quality products," he said.
