News release
MINISTER VANCLIEF SUPPORTS AMBITIOUS AGRICULTURAL TRADE REFORM
DOHA, Qatar, November 9, 2001 - Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lyle Vanclief today said Canada, together with other Cairns Group countries, is seeking an ambitious reform of agricultural trade through the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Mr. Vanclief underlined the need for a launch of broad-based negotiations to help achieve a significant outcome in agriculture.
Mr. Vanclief made the comments following the wrap-up of a Cairns Group meeting held in advance of the start of the Doha WTO Ministerial Conference which begins today.
"The Government of Canada's objective is to achieve a more level playing field for agricultural producers around the world," said Mr. Vanclief. "We will ensure that issues important and specific to Canada will remain on the agenda and will continue to be discussed on the international stage."
Mr. Vanclief added that decisions about the production and marketing of Canadian products will continue to be made in Canada.
The Cairns Group is a coalition of 18 agricultural exporting countries formed in 1986 that accounts for one-third of the world's agricultural exports. Member countries include: Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Fiji, Guatemala, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Paraguay, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand and Uruguay.
In the negotiations, Canada is seeking the elimination of export subsidies, substantial reduction in, or elimination of, domestic subsidies that distort production and trade and, substantial improvement in market access for all agricultural and food products.
Mr. Vanclief and International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew are joined at the meeting by several Non-Governmental Organizations representing a number of business areas including the agricultural sector. Consultations with industry stakeholders and the provinces will continue throughout the negotiations.
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For more information, media may contact:
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa
(613) 759-7972
For more information about Canada and the WTO see:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/
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