Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 12/12/17



In between rounds of negotiation on possible changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canada’s Agriculture Minister concluded a two-day visit to Mexico City to strengthen bilateral relations and promote trade last week.

Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay also attended the Mexican food and beverage trade show Alimentaria, touring the show with Mexico's President Enrique Peña Nieto and Mexican Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food, José Calzada.

The Minister's visit was part of Canada's efforts to grow global agri-food exports to $75 billion by 2025. Bilateral agri-trade between Canada and Mexico reached $4.2 billion in 2016.

The Minister also participated in a roundtable discussion with key Canadian and Mexican industry officials, where they exchanged ideas on increasing bilateral trade opportunities and further strengthening their integrated trade relationship. They discussed the ongoing negotiations of the NAFTA, and the importance of maintaining a strong and integrated North American agricultural supply chain.

Traveling with the Minister were members of Canadian industry, including the Canadian Cattlemen's Association, the Canadian Sheep Federation, Canada Beef and the Canadian Pork Council.

Over 12 percent of Mexico's imported beef comes from Canada. 

This week, officials from all three NAFTA countries began gathering in Washington for a week of meetings between formal rounds of talks on proposed changes to the pact. Progress has been slow in previous negotiating rounds, according to media reports.

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