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January 19, 2011
Fisheries and Aquaculture

Minister Outlines Next Steps to Develop Sealing Industry

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, today outlined actions to enable the sealing industry to further develop markets for seal products going into China. Minister Jackman recently returned from the China Fur and Leather Products Fair where an agreement was achieved between the Governments of Canada and China to allow edible seal products to be marketed in China. Minister Jackman also attended the Federal Government consultation on the management plan for seals, held today in St. John’s.

“This new agreement between Canada and China brings great opportunity,” said Minister Jackman. “Now we have to use this opportunity to strategically develop new products with industry and improve our marketing approach with this important consumer. This will involve analyses of the Chinese marketplace and the development of products that will be of interest to consumers in China. Work must be done to examine the market niche that edible seal products can fill and the product forms that this marketplace will require. Our government will work with the province’s sealing industry and the Government of Canada to explore these opportunities and support the industry in this pursuit.”

The Canadian Sealers Association is now developing a new governance model which will better enable them to work with the Provincial Government on sealing industry issues such as product development. The Provincial Government provided $20,000 to the association to review their business model and develop a business plan. This work will enable the association and its members to help promote quality in sealing industry products and more effectively focus on the strategic development of the seal resource.

The Chinese consumer is very discerning in their choice of food products and quality will be a key concern in moving into that marketplace. The Canadian sealing industry will be guided by a seal quality meat inspection program that meets the regulatory requirements of the Government of China. Minister Jackman also noted that the province is already receiving proposals from the sealing industry regarding product ideas for the emerging Chinese marketplace.

“Quality will be a key concern as we move into this marketplace,” said Minister Jackman. “Based on my experiences in China, their consumers will demand a superior level product. This is a very large marketplace with a huge interest in delicacies from North America. It is a valuable opportunity for the province’s sealing industry. I commend Minister Shea and her Department of Fisheries and Oceans for the work they have undertaken to open up this marketplace to our industry, and look forward to pursuing all opportunities in collaboration with the industry.”

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Media contact:
Lori Lee Oates
Director of Communications
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
709-729-3733, 690-8403
oatesll@gov.nl.ca 

2011 01 19                                                        12:10 p.m.

 
 
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