/EINPresswire.com/ -- PARIS, FRANCE -- (Marketwired) -- 04/08/16 -- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay participated in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Committee of Agriculture Ministerial meetings in Paris, France, April 7-8. The focus of the meetings was on building a productive, sustainable and resilient global food system, while protecting natural resources. Ministers and senior officials from over 40 countries held discussions on strengthening international trade and shared expertise in science and innovative technologies.

Minister MacAulay met with his European Union (EU) counterpart, Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Phil Hogan. Minister MacAulay used this opportunity to build on Canada's strong relations with the EU and underlined Canada's commitment to expanding agricultural trade. The Ministers discussed the importance of a swift ratification of the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). They also welcomed the expansion of scope of the Organic Equivalency Arrangement that came into force on April 7, allowing organic products to flow more easily between Canada and Europe.

Minister MacAulay also met with his French counterpart, Minister of Agriculture, Agri-Food and Forestry Stephane Le Foll, to discuss the importance of CETA to the broad trading relationship with the EU and encourage science-based decisions that facilitate trade.

Quick Facts

--  Canada's agri-food and seafood exports reached a record $61.4 billion in
    2015.
--  Exports of Canadian agri-food and seafood to the EU were worth $3.4
    billion in 2015.
--  Once CETA comes into force, almost 94 per cent of EU agricultural tariff
    lines will become duty-free, and almost 96 per cent of EU tariff lines
    for fish and seafood products will become duty-free.

Quotes

"Canadian farmers and processors are leaders in providing safe, high-quality food to world markets. The OECD meetings in Paris were an opportunity to highlight Canada's contribution to global efforts to achieve a productive, sustainable and resilient agriculture and food industry around the world, one that provides a significant contribution to our economy."

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

Associated Links

Permanent Delegation of Canada to the OECD

Canada-European Union: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)

CETA - Increasing Exports of Agriculture and Agri-Food Products

Canadian Organic Industry to Benefit from Expanded Canada-European Union Organic Equivalency Arrangement

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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
Follow us on Twitter: @CanadaTrade

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