TOKYO, JAPAN — Marie-Claude Bibeau, Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, had an introductory off-stage conversation at the G20 Summit on May 13 with Changfu Han, the Agriculture Minister of China, expressing  Canada's deep concern with the suspension of Canadian canola exports to China, and urged that this issue needs to be resolved quickly.

According to the Canadian government, Bibeau expressed strongly that Canada stands firmly behind its robust inspection system and good reputation of being a reliable supplier of quality products worldwide.

Bibeau also advanced Canada’s trade diversification strategy as the government continues to seek out new customers for Canadian agri-food products abroad and help farmers diversify into new markets.

At the G20 meeting in Niigata, Minister Bibeau discussed Canada's approach to the three core themes of the forum: innovation, value chains and sustainability. She highlighted Canada’s world-leading research centers and how collaboration with industry and academia has led to innovative practices and technologies that help farmers prosper and all while reducing their carbon footprint. In addition, she talked about Canada’s support for the next generation of farmers, including women, to ensure they are equipped for success.

While in Niigata, Bibeau held meetings with her counterparts from Japan, the United States, Mexico, The Netherlands, and the E.U. to enhance bilateral trading relationships and discuss priority issues for the government of Canada. Other topics of discussion included the early success of the CPTPP and CETA, which she said already are creating good, middle class jobs and providing farmers with new opportunities in key markets, and global cooperation in taking concrete actions to prevent and respond to the threat of African swine fever.