Canada is internationally recognized for safe, high-quality agriculture and food products with half of our agricultural production exported to customers around the globe. Today, Canada is the world's third largest exporter of agriculture and food products.

With the APF, Canada will build on existing recognition and trust in this country as a premier food supplier, giving consumers everywhere even more reasons to buy Canadian products. Customers will know that when they buy Canadian agriculture, food and seafood products, they are buying the best.

To strengthen the sector's position in global markets, the Government of Canada has committed $170 million to dramatically increase support for market development and trade access. This funding will be used to gain an in-depth understanding of emerging challenges and growth opportunities, and to work with the sector to plan strategies for capturing these opportunities.

Funds are available for activities that promote sector brands in key markets. For example, government and industry are working together to boost sales of Canada's meat and seafood products in Japan, an important market.

At the same time, trade support in key markets is being strengthened with the addition of agri-food trade specialists who work closely with Canadian exporters abroad.

The government is also enhancing technical marketing programs that raise awareness among foreign buyers of Canada's capacity to meet demands and our high standards for food safety and quality.

But producing the best products is not enough to ensure success. Canadian producers and processors need maximum access to markets to take advantage of increased export opportunities. That's why Canada takes every opportunity to advance the sector's interests in trade negotiations, including during current round of agriculture negotiations at World Trade Organization. Canada will also continue to speak forcefully against politically imposed trade barriers such as the exorbitant farm subsidies provided by the United States, European Union and Japan.

Canada has already embarked on an ambitious campaign in the market access for Canadian agricultural exporters. United States to influence key decision-makers with the aim of maintaining

Clear rules and maximum access to markets will benefit both Canadian and foreign producers and processors, including those in developing countries.

In closing...

As APF implementation agreements are signed with individual provinces and territories and programs are developed, further information will be provided through future issues of this newsletter and the Web site at: www.agr.gc.ca/puttingcanadafirst.