Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay and International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland announced today that Mexico has reopened its border to Canadian fresh poultry meat, including chicken, turkey and, most significant in terms of historical trade, duck meat. Mexico closed its borders in 2004 following an outbreak of Avian Influenza.
Canadian industry estimates that restored access to the Mexican market for fresh duck meat and other high-quality, fresh poultry meat will be worth approximately $3 million annually.
While Mexico still maintains limited Avian Influenza restrictions, the Government of Canada is working with Mexican authorities to remove these as quickly as possible.
This new market access comes on the heels of the February visit of Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture, José Calzada, where he and Minister MacAulay met to further strengthen the two countries’ longstanding partnership in agricultural trade.
Source: AAFC