Harper Government Announces New Market Access for Live Cattle to the United Arab Emirates

For the first time since 2003, Canadian producers can export live cattle to a market worth up to $40 million

Ottawa, Ontario, December 20, 2011 - The Honourable Gerry Ritz, Agriculture Minister, and the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today announced that the Government of Canada has reached a new agreement on an export certificate with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Canadian exporters of live cattle will benefit from access to the UAE market. Industry estimates that the market could provide up to $40 million in sales.

The UAE is part of a regional trading block called the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The GCC is a priority market under Canada's Global Commerce Strategy.

Today's announcement is symbolic of Canada's efforts to regain access to the entire GCC, which represents the fifth largest export destination for Canadian agri-food products. Canadian agri-food exports to the GCC surpassed $835 million in 2010.

For more information, media may contact:

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972