NEWS RELEASES

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