Whistler, British Columbia – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz today addressed the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) Foundation Summit where he underscored the importance of free and unfettered trade to drive competitiveness, create jobs and provide economic opportunities on both sides of the border. Six hundred key business leaders, legislators, and government leaders from PNWER's ten states, provinces, and territories were present to discuss major policy issues impacting the region, including cross-border livestock issues.
The leaders also highlighted work carried out by the Regulatory Co-operation Council which aims to better align the two countries’ regulatory approaches, where possible, to reduce red tape and strengthen competitiveness. Minister Ritz again underscored the importance of ending the discrimination against Canadian cattle and hogs under mandatory U.S. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) and the growing recognition that COOL continues to hurt farmers and industry on both sides of the border.
Quick facts
- Total two-way agricultural trade between Canada and the United States reached $45.6 billion in 2013, up $11 billion from 2010.
- In 2013, the total value of Canada-U.S. two-way trade in goods and services was $606 billion.
- Since NAFTA came into force, the North American economy has more than doubled and agricultural trade has quadrupled to over a billion dollars a week.
Source: AAFC