Minister Bibeau in Italy for Food and Agriculture Organization conference, local outreach

Ottawa, ON – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada 

The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, is in Italy to take part in the biennial conference of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). During her outreach, she will also work with stakeholders to advance Canadian agriculture and agri-food trade, and promote the safety and quality of Canadian exports.

Minister Bibeau is expected to be formally elected as Chair of the FAO conference on its first day. Minister Bibeau will be the first female agriculture minister to be in the role, and the first Canadian to chair since 1997. The Chair presides over the gathering of the full membership of the FAO, facilitating the exchange of views among all members as they work together towards global food security and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

The full FAO membership convenes every 2 years. This year’s theme is water resource management, and the conference is taking place in Rome, from July 1 to 7. 

While in Italy, Minister Bibeau will also take the opportunity to discuss Canadian agricultural opportunities with Italian agri-food stakeholders, including the mutual benefits of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). She will host a roundtable discussion with female leaders in agriculture and agri-food from around the world, meet with Canadian industry associations, and meet Italian businesses who use Canadian agriculture and agri-food products.

There will be opportunities on the margins of the FAO for Minister Bibeau to meet with counterparts from numerous other countries as well as with FAO officials to help push progress on global food security, enhance bilateral relations and trade opportunities, while working to resolve trade issues.