Canadian producers look beyond Cancun

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2003

(CANCUN, MEXICO) - The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) urges the federal government to build on the momentum begun in Cancun for a successful conclusion of the Doha Round. A conclusion that would help Canadian agriculture achieve its objectives.

This statement follows the close of the 5th Ministerial Conference in Cancun, which resulted in Ministers being unable to sign onto a framework agreement.

The CFA and its members, representing all commodities and every province, had serious concerns with the revised text presented to Ministers September 13th.

"The first preference of course would have been to have resolved these concerns in the agriculture text," said CFA President Bob Friesen. "However, this 'pause' in the negotiations allows industry an opportunity to continue to work closely with government and our international counterparts, to further promote our position and address these concerns."

The CFA members want to thank Ministers Pettigrew and Vanclief for their hard work in pushing the Canadian negotiating position. As well, they would like to sincerely thank Steve Verheul, Chief Agriculture negotiator, for tirelessly negotiating in the best interests of the Canadian industry.

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Founded in 1935 to provide Canada's farmers with a single voice in Ottawa, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture is the country's largest farmers' organization. Its members include provincial general farm organizations as well as national and inter-provincial commodity organizations from every province. Through its members, CFA represents over 200,000 Canadian farmers and farm families.

Contact:

Bob Friesen, CFA President, (204) 724-0824 (cell)
Kieran Green, COmmunications Coordinator, (613) 236-3633