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Ottawa, September 9, 2011  –  Canada’s dairy, poultry and egg farmers congratulate the Government of Canada and Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz for representing all Canadian agriculture sectors during the Cairns Ministerial meeting in Saskatoon this week.

Following Minister Ritz’s statement issued today, the five national dairy, poultry and egg farm organizations commended the Minister for his continuing support for trade based on rules and sound science, and for remaining committed to an ambitious and balanced outcome in World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations on agriculture.

Wally Smith, President of Dairy Farmers of Canada, who attended the farm leaders’ meeting held in conjunction with the Ministerial meeting, said, “We welcome Minister Ritz underscoring that Canada remains steadfast in its support for what works here in Canada, namely our supply management system. Minister Ritz took advantage of the Cairns Group discussions to promote the Government’s support for our diverse agricultural sectors by broadening the focus to include other agricultural trade issues such as the role science and innovation can play for farmers, the environment and food security objectives.”

Jack Greydanus, Chair of Canadian Hatching Egg Producers, who was also in attendance, said Canada’s dairy poultry and egg farmers continue to support multilateral efforts to ensure positive outcomes for farmers in trade negotiations. “We support the need to bring the Doha Development Round of the WTO to a successful, ambitious, comprehensive and balanced conclusion that serves all Canadian farmers,” he said.

Studies show that Canadian dairy, poultry and egg sectors are responsible for over 290,000 jobs and contribute over $4.5 billion in tax revenues to municipal, provincial and federal levels of government in all provinces.

Canada has been a strong member of the Cairns Group coalition of 19 developed and developing agricultural trading countries for a quarter century.

For more information, please contact: Thérèse Beaulieu, Dairy Farmers of Canada at (613) 371-5023 or Bernadette Cox, Egg Farmers of Canada at (613) 327-4701