Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz says
CANADIAN FOOD
Takes the Gold

Like Canadian athletes, our agricultural sector is dedicated to excellence. Canada was proud to host the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The Government of Canada took advantage of the opportunity to invite international media to a breakfast feast of Canada's world-class food.

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz helped serve up the breakfast as part of the Government of Canada's ongoing work to expand and re-invigorate international markets. Farm leaders from across the country, including those from the Canola Council of Canada, Canadian Cattleman's Association, Canadian Beef Export Federation, Canadian Pork Council, Dairy Farmers of Canada and Canadian Horticulture Council, also participated. Their message was clear: Canadian farmers produce the best food in the world.

"Our Government is proud to showcase the top-notch food that our farmers produce because we know consumers at home and around the world want to buy it," said Minister Ritz. "We will continue to maximize every opportunity to promote Canadian agriculture because we know that increased international trade will stimulate economic growth and deliver benefits to Canadians for the long term."

The breakfast brought together a team of top Canadian chefs from across the country, including Chef at Large Michael Smith. Each chef prepared distinct dishes featuring key Canadian export ingredients. Minister Ritz highlighted key Canadian exports including beef, pork, pulses, canola oil, bison, soy, lentils, seafood, maple syrup, ice wine and much more.

Canada has a long farming tradition and a history of innovation that puts healthy, top quality products on the customer's table. In 2008, Canada exported $42.8 billion worth of food and agriculture to 195 countries but Canada's international reputation as a lead agricultural exporter is not new. That reputation has been built on years of hard work and good ideas of Canadian farm families.

The Government of Canada currently supports nineteen research centres across the country, each with its own area of expertise. Ottawa's Central Experimental Farm is more than a beautiful piece of rural life in the middle of the city, it is a great example of the research Canadian agricultural scientists are doing across the country. Among numerous advancements, these research centres have led Canada to gain a reputation for the best wheat in the world. Italian pasta makers prefer to source Canadian durum wheat for their pasta.

Canadian researchers delivered a breakthrough when they produced a new crop, canola, which is recognized as the healthiest cooking oil in the world. In addition, Canada's soybeans are sought after by Asian markets, and our seafood and lentils are becoming more and more popular around the world. Today, Canada is the world's fourth largest agricultural and seafood exporter. The Government of Canada knows that Canada's agriculture can't be beat for its health attributes and quality and that's why Minister Ritz continues to lead trade mission around the world to open and reinvigorate markets for Canada's exporters.

Winning Beef and Pork
The excellent quality of Canadian beef and pork starts with the finest livestock, raised in our clean, natural environment and nourished with the best feeds available. Canadian cattle regularly win international competitions and our livestock genetics are exported around the world.

Canada is the world's third largest pork exporter, sending more than $2 billion worth of pork products to more than 100 countries around the globe each year. Canadian pork is exceptionally lean, nutritious and versatile as a result of constant improvements in feeding, breeding and management practices on the farm. Canadian pork producers and exporters regularly travel to other parts of the world to study what consumers want in terms of the type of cuts and fat content so they can adapt their products to serve particular markets.

A Commitment to Success
"Everywhere I go, people tell me that they want to buy Canadian," said Minister Ritz. "Our Government is going to make sure Canadian farmers can continue to deliver their safe, healthy and top quality products to the dinner tables around the world."

OLM | OTTAWALIFE Magazine | March 2010