MacAulay met for the first time with Han Changfu, China's minister of agriculture. He used this meeting to reinforce Canada's commitment to cooperate with China in agricultural opportunities and to continue to seek support for science-based trade decisions.
China is Canada's second-largest trading partner, after the U.S. In 2015, the value of Canada's total agri-food and seafood exports to China was C$6.3 billion ($4.8 billion).
Earlier in the week in Beijing, MacAulay had the opportunity to meet with senior officials from China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) to discuss progress on market access issues, including canola, beef and pork. Canada continues, in consultation with Canadian industry, to work towards securing increased access for its commodities and a permanent and commercially viable solution for canola exports to China. Agriculture is of significant economic importance to both countries, and a key aspect of Canada’s bilateral relationship with China.
"Canada continues to participate fully in international discussions and promote solutions that facilitate trade so we can grow our economy and create jobs,” MacAulay said. “This is the best path to helping farmers around the world be more productive, earn better incomes, and reduce environmental impacts."
Also in Beijing, MacAulay participated in various events with Canadian industry, including the signing of a partnership agreement between the Canadian canola industry and the Chinese Nutrition Society to promote canola oil as a healthy vegetable oil.
