Canada and Germany announce closer ties in agricultural research

CHARLOTTETOWN, May 22, 2017 /CNW/ - World demand for food is growing and research and innovation will help Canadian farmers and food processors meet that demand. The Government of Canada is supporting science and innovation with key global partners to build the capacity necessary to take advantage of growth opportunities and create good, well-paying jobs.

As part of this effort, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, today joined the Honourable Christian Schmidt, German Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture, in Prince Edward Island to announce that Canada and Germany will work closer together in four areas of agricultural research:

• Sustainable agriculture and climate change, particularly in the areas of protecting soil and water and breeding crops that are more resistant to the effects of climate change;
• Agri-food, including crop breeding for nutrition and health and reducing food waste and loss;
• Sharing best management practices for knowledge and technology transfer to farmers and industry; and
• Personnel exchange, including exchanges of scientists and students between Canada and Germany to build on opportunities for collaboration.

Canada and Germany enjoy close and friendly relations, reflected in their active cooperation on the international stage as well as their healthy economic and investment partnership. Germany has been a strong science partner with AAFC for over a decade, especially in the areas of crop development and animal health.

The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) will give Canadian farmers, processors and exporters duty-free access to more than half a billion consumers across the EU, the world's largest import market for agriculture and agri-food. This agreement will help generate jobs and grow the middle-class.

Germany continues to be a significant trading partner for Canada and is growing in importance both as an export destination and as a source of imports.

Quotes

"Canada's bilateral trade with Germany has grown considerably and we look forward to continuing this trend as new trade opportunities are always being created in Europe for Canadian agricultural exports. Both countries share a deep commitment to agricultural research and science-based trade policies and this expansion of the already strong research cooperation we have with Germany will help accelerate innovation that drives sustainable economic growth."
- Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"Together with Canada, we want to extend research cooperation and, in this context, jointly focus on sustainable agriculture, prevention of food losses and waste of food and the interaction between agriculture and a healthy diet."
- Christian Schmidt, German Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture

Quick Facts

• Canada's agri-food exports to Germany in 2016 were $321 million, which represents Canada's eighth-largest export market.
• Canadian industry estimates CETA will provide additional exports for our agricultural products of up to $1.5 billion per year.
• Germany is a key science and trade partner for Canada and a leading member of the European Union.
• Cooperation in science and technology between Canada and Germany occurs under the Canada-Germany Science & Technology Agreement, which was signed in 1971.
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researchers are currently working with German counterparts in AAFC scientific projects in the areas of crop genetics and diseases, agro-ecosystem resilience, horticulture, micro-organism collections and pork production.

Associated Links

• Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
• Canada and Germany Commercial Relations

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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada