Harper Government Restores Market Access to Taiwan for Poultry and Poultry Products from Saskatchewan

Marketwired

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb 1, 2013) - Saskatchewan poultry producers now have access to the lucrative Taiwanese market for the first time since 2007, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced today. Effective immediately, Saskatchewan producers will benefit from a growing market whose value increased 84% from 2007 to 2011.

"Canada''s poultry producers play an important role in creating jobs and economic growth across Canada," said Minister Ritz. "Our Government strongly believes in science-based trade, and we are pleased that Taiwan will recognize the safety and high quality of Saskatchewan poultry products."

Taiwan is Canada''s fifth-largest export market for poultry and poultry products, importing $77.4 million in 2007 and $142.4 million in 2011, an increase of 84%.

Canadian poultry exports to Taiwan have increased 147% between 2007 and 2012, reaching $22.2 million in sales between January and November 2012.

Taiwanese authorities have lifted the ban that was imposed on Saskatchewan poultry and poultry products following the detection of Notifiable Avian Influenza (NAI) in September 2007. Saskatchewan has been recognized as NAI-free since 2008 based on the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) requirements, and Canada has been advocating for trade to resume with Taiwan based on this science. The rest of Canada continued to have access during this time period.