Press Release
Federal Agriculture minister Gerry Ritz on Friday concluded a trade mission to India and Hong Kong by securing an agreement in-principle with Hong Kong that immediately expands key export opportunities for Canadian beef and sets out a clear timetable to open that market to all commercially-significant Canadian beef exports.
Canada will work closely with Hong Kong authorities to ensure Hong Kong’s high quality and safety standards are met in order to complete a staged process within this calendar year.
The announcement came after Ritz met with Hong Kong Secretary for Food and Health, Dr. York Chow.
Ritz also announced the first comprehensive agricultural Memorandum of Understanding between Canada and India, which was signed on Jan. 13.
“This government is working with key trading partners such as Hong Kong and India to close deals that will make a difference on the bottom line for Canadian farm families,” said Ritz.
“Our agreement in-principle with Hong Kong is a breakthrough for Canadian beef exporters and we are working hard to deliver that kind of success around the world.
“Canada produces the best beef in the world and I am absolutely certain that we can meet and exceed Hong Kong’s high quality and safety standards before the end of this year,” he added.
Ritz and Chow agreed to a staged process that immediately expands opportunities for key Canadian beef exports. After Canadian beef exporters meet Hong Kong’s requirements, all commercially-significant Canadian beef exports will have access to the Hong Kong market.
The first stage of the process gives Canadian beef producers access to the Hong Kong market for rib cuts and most bone-in beef products (excluding vertebral column cuts) from cattle under 30 months of age.
After meeting Hong Kong’s requirements during the first four-month phase-in period, Hong Kong will allow Canadian exports of rib cuts, boneless beef, and offal from all Canadian cattle.
If Hong Kong’s remaining requirements are met by the end of this calendar year, it will open its borders to all remaining Canadian beef exports from cattle under 30 months of age, including T-bones and porterhouse steaks.
The Canada Beef Export Federation estimates the improved access could mean an increase in Canadian beef exports to Hong Kong by as much as $26 million, almost doubling our current exports.
While in India, Ritz signed Canada’s first agricultural Memorandum of Understanding with India to create a framework to expand agricultural trade between the two countries.
Canadian agricultural exports to India currently are worth $445 million.
Ritz secured an agreement with Indian Agriculture minister Sharad Pawar to safeguard and expand Canadian pulse crop exports to India that currently are worth $342 million.
India agreed to extend temporary measures to allow port-of-arrival fumigation of Canadian pulses for six months and committed to a further six-month extension, if necessary.
The ministers also agreed to establish a joint Indian-Canadian working group to develop a permanent resolution to this issue over the coming year.
During his meeting with Pawar, Ritz also discussed live swine, pork, and bovine embryos.
Ritz announced that Pawar agreed to work towards opening access for Canadian pork. This will be realized through the efforts of a newly-established bilateral working group on veterinary matters over the coming year.
“Canadian farmers want to make their living in the marketplace and this government is working hard to make sure that market includes new opportunities in India, Hong Kong, and around the world,” said Ritz.
“These new marketing opportunities will help Canada to weather the current economic uncertainty and come out stronger than ever,” he pledged.
