The Canadian Meat Council is
pleased that the federal budget includes funding to improve trade and
congratulates Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay for promoting trade.
CMC President Chris White said “we are particularly
encouraged to see the federal government’s plans to commit $75 million over the
next five years to increase the number of diplomats and trade commissioners in
China and Asia.
“This increased attention to China will help clear the
uncertainty our industry was left with regards to bone-in beef and fresh
chilled beef and pork products late last year” White added.
The Council was also pleased to see $16 million over
three years added for Canada’s Food Inspection Agency to “strengthen (the) food
safety system including risk intelligence, oversight, offshore prevention
activities.”
In its news release, the council “congratulates MacAulay
for his leadership on these files in conjunction with the Minister of
International Trade, François-Philippe Champagne.”
