Notice to media

MINISTER STRAHL TO MEET WITH U.S. SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE

OTTAWA, Ontario, September 13, 2006 – The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, will be in Washington D.C. today for a face-to-face meeting with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns.

Minister Strahl and Secretary Johanns will discuss a number of issues affecting the agricultural sectors in Canada and the United States, including:

newly proposed agricultural quarantine and inspection user fees, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) intends to use to fund additional inspection staff at border points and airports;
the USDA’s 2nd rule affecting exports of older Canadian beef and cattle to the United States;
temporary U.S. trade requirements on some Quebec agricultural products after confirmation of Golden Nematode on a farm near Montreal in mid-August; and
challenges facing the international community following suspension of World Trade Organization negotiations in July.

“Canada’s new government currently enjoys an unprecedented close relationship with the U.S. at all levels,” said Minister Strahl. “In any relationship there are always issues to resolve, and rest assured I will raise these with Secretary Johanns with a view to reinforcing our relationship to the benefit of farm families in both countries.”

Minister Strahl and Secretary Johanns held their first meeting April 20, 2006, where they agreed to get together at least once per year to discuss bilateral trade issues to help ensure the continued success of the agricultural sectors of Canada and the United States.

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For more information, please contact:

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa
613-759-7972
1-866-345-7972

Jeff Howard
Press Secretary
Minister Strahl's Office
613-759-1059