SASKATCHEWAN SUPPORTS CANADA MOROCCO FREE TRADE NEGOTIATIONS

Today, Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud expressed his support to Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz for launching free trade agreement negotiations with Morocco.

"Farmers in Saskatchewan rely on export markets and it's important for governments to ensure our producers have access to as many markets as possible," said Bjornerud.

In 2009, Saskatchewan producers shipped over $215 million worth of agri-food products to Morocco, accounting for 80 per cent of all Canadian agri-food exports to Morocco.

"Morocco is an important trading partner for our province but Saskatchewan producers still face substantial tariff and non-tariff barriers in that market," said Bjornerud. "I hope these negotiations will result in an agreement that will see these trade barriers removed."

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For more information, contact:

Patrick Boyle
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2359
Email: Patrick.Boyle@gov.sk.ca