Minister Meets with Delegation from Russia

Government has been actively working to have Newfoundland and Labrador producers enter and shape seafood markets in the Russian Federation. As another step toward achieving that goal, the Honourable Tom Rideout, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, today met with Alexey Gordeev, the Russian Minister of Agriculture with responsibility for fisheries, in St. John�s.

Minister Rideout said, �I attended the World Food Moscow show in September of 2006 and today we have seen more results from that visit. It was a pleasure to meet with the Russian minister and discuss potential opportunities for companies in this province to supply the growing Russian seafood markets.�

The meeting between the Ministers Gordeev and Rideout took place at The Rooms, the site of the provincial, museum, art gallery and archives. It began with a working lunch that involved the ministers, provincial seafood industry representatives and senior officials from both governments. Minister Rideout welcomed the Russian delegation on behalf of the provincial government. Minister Gordeev provided an overview of the purpose for the visit to St. John�s and discussed the interests of the Russian delegation in the Newfoundland and Labrador seafood industry.

�My department has been discussing ways to most strategically position our provincial industry to fully avail of the opportunities in the Russian marketplace,� said Minister Rideout. �Being able to arrange this meeting today between local industry and representatives from the Russian Federation has gone a long way toward meeting that goal. We have also taken opportunities to meet with journalists from Russian seafood trade publications and promote the quality seafood that is produced in Newfoundland and Labrador.�

There is a strong demand in the Russian marketplace for pelagic species such as herring, mackerel and capelin. These species are becoming more abundant in the waters surrounding the province. There is a strong demand in the Russian market for shell-on shrimp products and an opportunity for further market development of Newfoundland and Labrador�s cooked and peeled shrimp. There is also a growing demand for snow crab products in Russia.

�Our Blueprint identified improved seafood marketing as a priority. I�m pleased to say we have been delivering on that promise. Pursuing the expanding seafood market in Russia is a key part of that strategy and it has been a pleasure to host the Russian minister here today,� said Minister Rideout. �This clearly says there is interest on both sides in expanding existing business relationships. All of this bodes well for the future.�

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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

2007 03 30                               4:25 p.m.