Today, in Woodstock, Ontario, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Dave MacKenzie, Member of Parliament for Oxford, announced an investment of $1.6 million to the Canadian Livestock Genetics Association (CLGA) to help open new export markets for Canadian dairy and small ruminants genetics.
Last year, the Canadian dairy, sheep and goat industries generated over $120 million in exports. The goal of the additional funding is to see this improve, specifically with a 10% increase in sales and exports of dairy genetics by 2015.
According to Michael Hall, CLGA’s executive director, 12,750 dairy producers and more than 1,000 sheep breeders and 450 goat breeders across Canada benefit through revenue opportunities with the development of new markets.
“This investment will help the dairy and small ruminant genetics industry open up new global markets and promote Canadian products to ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry,” said Minister Ritz.
The support is provided through the Market Development stream of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s AgriMarketing Program, under Growing Forward 2.
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