NEWS RELEASES
MINISTER PETTIGREW WELCOMES START OF AGRICULTURE AND SERVICES NEGOTIATIONS AT WTO
February 8, 2000 (6:00 p.m. EST) No. 20
MINISTER PETTIGREW WELCOMES START OF
AGRICULTURE AND SERVICES NEGOTIATIONS AT WTO
International Trade Minister Pierre S. Pettigrew welcomed today's agreement by all
135 members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to launch new negotiations
aimed at further liberalizing international trade in agriculture and services. The
negotiations will be carried out in special sessions of the Council for Trade in
Services and the Committee on Agriculture, beginning at the end of February.
"Canada strongly supports the launch of new negotiations in agriculture and
services, both of which are sectors of vital economic importance to Canada," said
Minister Pettigrew. "Today's agreement confirms that progress on the WTO's built-in
agenda is continuing as scheduled. While these negotiations will take time, we are
committed to promoting Canadian interests and opening new markets so that our
exporters can continue creating high-value jobs here at home."
"Canadian farmers have been devastated by the impact of the high-level export
subsidies of our trading partners," said Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lyle
Vanclief. "It is vitally important to Canadian producers that the world's agriculture
trading nations get on with the task of reducing trade-distorting subsidies that have
devastated the incomes of our grain farmers and other producers of export-oriented
commodities."
Canada's Ambassador to the WTO, Sergio Marchi, was elected today by the WTO
membership to chair the Council for Trade in Services, the body that will carry out
the services negotiations. Minister Pettigrew noted, "It is a particular honour for a
newly arrived ambassador to be entrusted by the WTO membership with such a
responsibility. Given the importance of the services industry to Canada's economy
and the strong interest of many Canadians in how these negotiations proceed, this
is a very welcome decision. And let me assure Canadians, our public health and
education systems will not be on the negotiating table."
Minister Pettigrew added that the selection of a Canadian to chair the Services
Council is further demonstration of the leadership role Canada is playing in building
a strong rules-based international trading system.
The Government of Canada continues to consult widely on all international trade
issues.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Sylvie Bussières
Office of the Minister for International Trade
(613) 992-7332
Sylvie Millette LeDuc
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
(613) 759-1761
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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