Market access to Ukraine for live Canadian cattle has reopened.
Federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz made the announcement Aug. 27 in a news release, noting renewed access for purebred live cattle may be worth up to $12 million over the next three years.
According to the news release, the government negotiated “a new certificate that will create new sales opportunities for producers.”
Canada shipped live cattle to Ukraine only once, in the 1980s.
Rick McRonald, executive director of the Canadian Livestock Genetics Association, applauded the deal.
“Canada-Ukraine dairy genetics co-operation began in the 1970s and has continued through good times and bad,” he said.
“We are happy to see this very positive development.”
Ukraine also recently opened its doors to live swine from Canada.
A free trade agreement is being negotiated with Ukraine that the federal government expects will open more markets for Canadian agricultural exports.
Government statistics indicate such exports to the Ukraine were worth more than $22 million in 2011.
