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OTTAWA – The Honourable Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable Bob Speller, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, unveiled the new Brand Canada trade logo for aquaculture during the Canada Night reception held last evening at the International Boston Seafood Show. The logo will be used to promote the safety and high quality of Canada’s aquaculture products to fish and seafood buyers and retailers around the globe.
"The Government of Canada is proud to support initiatives which help promote Canadian excellence in seafood around the world," said Minister Regan. "Over time, the Brand Canada aquaculture logo will become a recognizable symbol to seafood buyers, indicating that our aquaculture products are safe, high quality products, produced in an environmentally-responsible manner."
"Exports drive Canada’s economy, so it is important that our high quality products be easily identifiable anywhere in the world," said Minister Speller. "The new Brand Canada trade logo appearing on packaging will help promote the overall excellence of Canadian fish and seafood products in the minds of international consumers and commercial buyers."
The Brand Canada, led by the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA), is an industry initiative designed to secure an enduring competitive advantage for Canadian farmed fish and shellfish products in international markets, to support market development and trade efforts for the Canadian aquaculture industry, and to help the sector to better respond to increasing consumer demands and global competition. The development of CAIA’s brand for Canadian aquaculture products was accomplished with funding assistance from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).
Buyers of aquaculture products want to be assured that the industry is a legitimate and responsible user of the oceans, and that there are good regulations in place to verify that the aquatic environment is protected. The Canadian aquaculture industry is developing best management practices and a national code to adhere to its own high standards.
Within government, AAFC has established the Canadian Agriculture and Food International Program through which it provides shared funding for sectoral international market development initiatives for Canada’s food industry. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has an inspection program in place to verify that aquaculture products and fish feed meet the required standards for safety, quality, and identity.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Program for Sustainable Aquaculture contributes to the development of the best possible products under the safest and most environmentally-friendly conditions. In Canada, all new finfish applications must also pass a rigorous environmental assessment process conducted by the Government of Canada.
The Brand Canada initiative is part of a long-term strategy that will differentiate Canada’s aquaculture products from those of competitor countries, assuring buyers that Canadian aquaculture products are safe and environmentally sustainable. This strategy will also serve to position aquaculture products for success in key markets.
A photograph of the unveiling is available at:
www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/minister/photo_e.htm
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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Steve Outhouse
Manager, Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
(613) 998-1530 |
Brian Underhill
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
(613) 992-3474 |
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Carla Ventin
Press Secretary
Minister Speller’s Office
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa
(613) 759-1346 |
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa
(613) 759-7972 |
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NR-HQ-04-19E |
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