Parliamentary Secretary Pierre Lemieux and Conservative Government Working to Boost International Demand for Canadian Dairy Livestock Genetics

OTTAWA - The Conservative government is investing $1.22 million to increase sales of Canadian dairy genetics in international markets through the AgriMarketing program. Parliamentary Secretary Pierre Lemieux, MP for Glengarry- Prescott-Russell, made the announcement today at the Dairy Farmers of Ontario 44th Annual General Meeting.

“ Canada maintains a global stamp of excellence in genetics,” said Parliamentary Secretary Lemieux, on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. “Our Government is steadfast in our support for supply management and is creating opportunities for our producers at home by increasing exports and promoting our top quality dairy genetics around the world.”

“Here in Ontario the Dairy industry is key to our economy, especially during this global economic instability, and our government’s Economic Action Plan has not only built roads and bridges and waterlines, but also a stronger country so our farmers can make a better bottom line” added Pierre Lemieux when delivering this important announcement. “Thanks to our efforts, the dairy industry in Canada has become a beacon of stability, especially in Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, with an agricultural base largely derived of supply managed products of this genre.”

The investment will help the Canadian Livestock Genetics Association (CLGA) to fund a variety of targeted international market development initiatives to increase the volume and the value of dairy cattle, embryo and semen exports, and raise awareness of our top quality Canadian genetic programs around the world.

As a national association, the CLGA regroups cattle, embryo and semen exporters, breed associations and works on market access and animal health for the benefit of producers in both national and international markets. Canadian dairy genetic exports reached $177.8 million in 2008, representing an increase of 73% over the previous year.

The AgriMarketing program, a four year $88 million initiative, assists producers and processors to increase exports of Canada’s safe, high-quality world-class products around the world. The program provides funding for industry associations to develop and implement long-term international strategies and to undertake activities such as international market development, brand-building and industry-to-industry trade advocacy.

For more information on the AgriMarketing Program, please write to agrimarketing@agr.gc.ca