January 19, 2006

Manitoba’s advances in agricultural-related industries such as food product development and crop and livestock genetics, and the province’s extensive agriculture service sector is attracting significant interest from international trade delegations, Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Rosann Wowchuk announced today.

"Representatives from four different countries have been touring our province this week alone, visiting specific agricultural sites relevant to their interests, many with a view to promoting trade relationships and agriculture-related business opportunities," said Wowchuk. "Several of the delegates took advantage of the opportunity to visit the Food Development Centre in Portage la Prairie and Ag Days 2006 in Brandon, which provided an excellent overview of Manitoba’s agricultural environment.

"Manitoba’s trade delegations have been welcomed guests in many countries in recent years, many of which have signed memorandums of understanding for future trade activities. Now is a prime time to show the welcome mat is out, opportunity is knocking and Manitoba is open for business."

The minister noted that on Jan. 11, delegates from Jalisco, Mexico, arrived, touring the Food Development Centre and meeting with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The delegation was interested in building partnerships with food development centres in Mexico and expanding educational and export opportunities for both trade partners.

Two delegations from Russia attended Ag Days to get a first-hand understanding of the agriculture industry in Manitoba. One group included the minister of agriculture from the Russian Republic of Chuvashia in a reciprocal visit. With interests in potato production, livestock genetics and an educational exchange program, representatives toured the Douglas Bull Test Station and met with representatives of the University of Manitoba and Assiniboine Community College in Brandon.

The second group represented the AgroIntel Company, the main activities of which include pulse seed research and development, and agricultural technology and machinery. That tour included a visit to the Agriculture Canada Research Station in Morden.

A delegation from the province of Henan in China, which has an agreement of
co-operation with Manitoba, also scheduled a visit with interests in vegetable production and seed sales. The delegation included a number of grain scientists interested in the varieties of grain produced in Manitoba as well as current agricultural technology.

"We are also expecting guests from Japan, representing Semnom Ryori, a highly-publicized gourmet food magazine, that is planning a feature on Manitoba as part of a Canadian food products article," said Wowchuk. "This shows how our food products have gained international recognition along with our agri-food industries."

The minister noted that building strong relationships through trade mission activity opens doors to a multitude of two-way trade and business opportunities for both countries.

"Our environmentally-friendly production practices, advanced crop and livestock genetics, coupled with our valued-added food product development are paving the way to rural economic prosperity for all the communities in our province," said the minister.

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