April 16, 1999
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

Trade Issues for Newfoundland & Labrador

Forest Resources and Agrifoods Minister Kevin Aylward will be attending "Toward an Agricultural Trade Position: Dialogue with Canadian Industry" conference in Ottawa on April 18-20. The conference will discuss Canada's negotiating position for the upcoming World Trade Organization (WTO) talks. The Minister indicated there were 3 main issues for the province:

1. Orderly marketing is a key component of the agriculture industry and must not be negotiated away.

2. Newfoundland and Labrador is diversifying and expanding its primary production to capture a greater share of its domestic requirements. It is critical for international export markets to be maintained and expanded for this to occur.

3. The Uruguay Round and NAFTA have created an environment of reduced industry support. Governments must ensure that industry support is consistent with the trade agreements; however, as the rapidly changing global challenges and opportunities evolve a level of support will be required by all stakeholders.

"The issue for Newfoundland & Labrador is to ensure that Canadian negotiators argue for a balanced Canadian position for the agrifoods industry. Internal trade is critical to this province and we must ensure that the present agrifoods industry is not forgotten during negotiations. The federal government must negotiate to achieve positive results nationally, regionally and provincially," said Minister Aylward.

Media contact: Cynthia Layden-Barron, Director of Communications, (709) 729-6183 or (709) 685-6612.

1999 04 16 5:05 p.m.