MacAulay meets with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack

Jan 24, 2024

Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay had a productive trip to Washington last week.

During his visit, he met with his American counterpart Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

The pair discussed a number of key issues from Canada U.S. food supply chains, to food security, environmental sustainability and rules-based international trade.

Government stats show that in 2022 Canada-U.S. trade in agriculture and food rose by 14 percent to over USD $70 billion – nearly USD $200 million a day.

MacAulay says Canada and the U.S. have a bond like no other in the world.

"My discussions with our American partners highlighted the important and unique agricultural partnership between our two countries. This is a connection based on shared geography, common values, mutual interests and economic ties, with the shared goal of building a sustainable agricultural sector that strengthens our rural economies, and feeds folks at home and around the world.”

He also raised concerns about the proposed changes in voluntary "Product of USA" labeling regulations for meat and livestock and California’s Proposition 12 and their potential to restrict trade and disrupt supply chains.

During the trip he also met with representatives from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Canadian Cattle Association to discuss reducing trade barriers and the importance of our integrated beef supply chains.

MacAulay's visit to Washington marked the first ministerial outreach to the U.S. since his reappointment as Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food on July 26, 2023.

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Video: Canada's Agriculture Day 2025

Let's celebrate Canadian agriculture.

Well, number one, you don't eat without farmers. Farmers put food on the table. And what could be more important than that?

Well, I think it's important that Canadians understand exactly what takes place, what happens to produce this food, no matter what sector you're talking about.

An awful lot of work goes into that. It's important to understand that meat does not come out of a showcase, and milk does not come out of a bottle. It's produced by farmers and hard work.

Canada has the best farmers in the world. And agriculture is vital to Canada.

In 2024, our agriculture and agri-food sector represented $150 billion of Canada's GDP, nearly $100 billion of our exports, and one in nine jobs.

From grains to fruits to dairy and beef, we are truly blessed with an incredible bounty. Having spent my whole life in agriculture, I see so much potential for the sector.

This time last year, I was proud to open our first-ever agriculture and trade office in the Indo-Pacific, the world’s fastest-growing economy, to cement our presence in the region and grow our exports even more. We've also been making historic investments to help our farmers to boost their yields, protect the planet, and earn a fair living.

The world wants more top-quality, sustainable food, and I know our Canadian farmers can deliver. And it's so important that you do that with pride. We need you.

Quite simply, you eat the most top quality food in the world. You do that because of the quality of farmers and ranchers you have in this country.

Just say thank you to a farmer or a rancher. They work very hard, yes, for a living, but also with a sense of pride in what they produce.

That's what Canada's Agriculture Day is all about.