Ottawa and Regina last week renewed their commitment to expand Saskatchewan exports and attract more foreign investment to the province.
Federal agriculture minister Lyle Vanclief and Saskatchewan agriculture minister Dwain Lingenfelter signed a five-year agreement to extend the work begun in 1995 on international business development.
Canadian Western Agribition executive vice-president Wayne Gamble said the previous agreement helped the livestock show become a true marketplace.
Its international business centre, supported by the agreement, brings together buyers and sellers from more than 50 countries. As a result of last year’s show, the first direct shipment of Canadian bison meat was sent to Germany earlier this year.
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Gamble said a government focus on trade is appropriate. The role of government used to be production-based research and extension, which focused more on individual producers. He said production is not a problem.
“A shortage of product is hardly ever our challenge,” he told the two agriculture ministers. “The challenge is to get that product sold into world markets at a price that enables our producers to survive in the long term.”
Larry Schneider, president of the Prairie Implement Manufacturers Association, said members of his group have benefited through improved access to other countries, particularly through trade missions.
He said government involvement is key.
“Those who criticize so-called junkets or ventures outside of our own back yards are those who know nothing of international marketing,” he said.
Vanclief said no other industrialized country is as dependent upon trade as Canada. Trade accounts for about half of farmgate income, on average.
“We cannot sit back and wait for customers to come knocking on our door,” he said. “We have to search out new markets.”
