Canada to host 2011 International Agricultural Meeting

BRANDON, April 23, 2010 – Merv Tweed, MP for Brandon-Souris is pleased that Canada will take a leading role in agricultural trade relations by hosting the Cairns Group Ministerial Meeting in 2011.  The Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture made the announcement at the conclusion of the 2010 Ministerial Meeting in Punta del Este, Uruguay. 

“Hosting the Cairns Group Ministerial Meeting will give Canada an opportunity to show the world what Canadian producers have to offer,” said Tweed.  “The 2011 meeting will be a chance for Canada to drive a strong and balanced agenda to strengthen international agricultural trade.”

The Cairns group is a coalition of 19 agricultural exporting countries committed to strengthening agricultural trade.  Canada is the world’s fourth largest exporter of agriculture and food products.

Uruguay was the last stop of Minister Ritz’ latest agriculture trade mission that concluded in a historic partnership between China and Canada.

For information about the Cairns Group please visit: www.cairnsgroup.org