Agriculture Min. commits $6.4 million for Canadian beef promotion abroad

CALGARY – Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay says the government has committed up to $6.4 million over three years to help promote Canadian beef abroad.

Speaking in Calgary Wednesday, MacAulay said the investment will help strengthen the Canadian beef brand globally and lead to greater returns for farmers.

The government says the strategic initiative will support a three-year plan to promote and develop markets for Canadian beef in Asia, Europe, North America and Latin America.

The funding announcement comes after Canada recently reopened or expanded export markets after the fallout from a mad-cow disease scare in 2003.

Earlier this month Taiwan lifted its ban on Canadian beef, while, in June, Mexico committed to lifting a restriction on cattle over 30 months later this year.

In 2015, the Canadian beef industry exported $2.2-billion worth of meat to 58 countries.