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<title>CANADA REQUESTS NAFTA CONSULTATIONS ON NORTH DAKOTA TRADE BARRIER</title>
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<p><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">April 1, 1999 <em>(2:45 p.m. EST)</em> No. 72</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1">CANADA REQUESTS NAFTA CONSULTATIONS </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1">ON NORTH DAKOTA TRADE BARRIER</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Canada has requested NAFTA consultations with the United States over a proposed law in North Dakota that would restrict the entry of
Canadian products under the guise of technical requirements.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The proposed law would require all agricultural products and livestock entering the state from other countries to be certified regarding possible
traces of various chemicals, a restriction that would not be imposed on products entering North Dakota from other U.S. states.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"It is clear that this new law violates NAFTA, particularly the national treatment provisions," said International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi. "The
U.S. administration is responsible for ensuring that the actions of its states conform to NAFTA. We are asking them to help ensure that this
legislation is not signed into law."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"The proposed new law would prohibit a wide range of Canadian agricultural products from entering North Dakota without the necessary
scientific justification required by NAFTA and by domestic U.S. regulations," said Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lyle Vanclief. "There is no
scientific basis for this, and we will vigorously defend the rights of Canadian exporters of agricultural goods."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Canada and the U.S. are each others' best customers," said the Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board Ralph Goodale. "We
expect the U.S. to rigorously respect its international trade obligations, especially toward Canada."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Leslie Swartman</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister for International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 992-7332</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial">Sylvie Millette LeDuc, Press Secretary</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 759-1761</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">John Embury, Press Secretary</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 996-2007</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font><font face="Arial"></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Internet site:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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