Prince Edward Island Hosts Agricultural Discussions

Agriculture and Forestry Minister Mitch Murphy will host a meeting this Friday of northeast United States commissioners and eastern Canadian ministers of agriculture. The meeting will discuss ways of strengthening cross-border agriculture trade in the northeast region of Canada and the United States. The meeting stems from a resolution passed by New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers in August of this year.

"Commissioners and ministers will be identifying impediments to cross-border trade and sharing information and experiences on best practices in areas such as food safety, pest management, and environmentally sound farming practices," said Mr. Murphy. "We will be recommending mutually acceptable solutions and pursuing other opportunities for collaboration that could benefit agricultural producers in the northeast region."

The inaugural meeting of the group was held last December in Maine. "It's important that the agriculture industry in this region work together to identify common goals and challenges," said Mr. Murphy.

Total Prince Edward Island exports of agri-food products to the New England states are estimated at more than $80 million in 2001, up from approximately $55 million in 1998.