Ag Minister MacAulay visits Washington

Jan 20, 2016

Marks the Minister’s first American visit since being appointed

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

Lawrence MacAulay, Canada’s Minister of Agriculture, traveled to Washington D.C. on Jan. 14 to meet with his American counterpart, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

The visit marks the first meeting between the two and MacAulay’s first official visit since being appointed Minister of Agriculture by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Nov. 4, 2015.

One of the main objectives of their meetings is to strengthen bilateral trade between Canada and the United States – a trading relationship that’s already the largest in the world. Each year, approximately $50 billion worth of agriculture and food products cross American and Canadian borders.

Minister MacAulay said a stronger relationship will open new doors for agriculture.

"Our government is committed to deepening ties with the United States,” he said. “I am confident that a renewed focus on the partnership between our countries will help create new opportunities for agriculture and agri-food and stimulate overall economic growth.”

A renewed focus on agricultural issues may be exactly what the two nations need after the COOL (Country Of Origin Labeling) situation.

American COOL requirements meant meat from Canadian animals would have been labeled differently, potentially causing discrimination.

Along with Mexico, Canada fought to have COOL repealed, going so far as receiving permission from the World Trade Organization to apply retaliatory tariffs on products equaling up to $1 billion.

As a result of the threatened penalties, the United States in December repealed COOL requirements for beef and pork.

What are some agricultural issues between Canada and the United States that both federal governments should investigate?

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