New Markets Open For Canadian Producers

CANADA - For the first time since 2003, the Vietnamese market has opened its doors to Canadian live breeding cattle, sheep and goats.

15 August 2011

3 minute read

North America

Canadian ranchers of live breeding cattle will now benefit from access to the Vietnamese market, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and International Trade Minister Ed Fast announced. The new market is worth up to $50 million and will lead to the first commercially significant sales of these Canadian animals into Asia since 2003.

"Our Government is focused on completing the economic recovery by opening new markets for Canadian goods and services," said Minister Ritz.

"The Vietnamese market is now reopened to live breeding cattle, sheep and goats and trade can resume immediately, which will benefit Canadian ranchers."

"Canadian farmers and their families know that international trade is fundamental to their financial security, and our government wants to help them through freer trade and by securing access to new markets,” said Minister Fast.

"Canada welcomes this decision by Viet Nam. Closer economic ties with Southeast Asia will create jobs and opportunities for Canadians."

"The achievement of this milestone is one more example of the effectiveness of the ongoing partnership between the Canadian Government and Industry."

"We are now in an enviable position to exploit the high quality of our Canadian livestock population’s traceability, transparent genetic ability verification systems, high health standards and, importantly, the willingness of Canadian industry to provide support resources to enable the Vietnamese to take full advantage of Canada's economically tested cattle, sheep and goat performances,“ said Rick McRonald, Executive Director of the Canadian Livestock Genetics Association (CLGA).

The industry estimates the total market value for imports of live ruminants in Viet Nam worth close to $50 million, of which Canada can now compete for its share.

Access for Canadian Live Breeding Cattle, Sheep and Goats to Viet Nam

The Canadian industry has been working with the government to gain access to the Viet Nam market for several years. Viet Nam’s Department of Animal Health has now formally approved the Canadian export health certificates for live cattle and live goat and sheep, allowing trade to resume immediately. Canadian exporters can find the required documentation on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) web site at www.inspection.gc.ca.

In addition to live breeding cattle, sheep and goats, Canada also has access for the following related products: all beef from animals of all ages; beef offal (heart, liver, and kidney); bovine semen; bovine embryos; ovine semen; ovine embryos; caprine semen; caprine embryos.

Market Access Restrictions for Canadian live ruminant animals

Following Canada’s announcement of its first case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in May 2003, Viet Nam banned imports of Canadian live cattle, along with beef and beef products.

In June 2007, Canada formally requested access for all beef and cattle based on Canada’s BSE controlled risk status as determined by the World Organisation for Animal Health. Viet Nam consistently indicated that it would take a phased approach in which it would first make a decision on expanded beef access, followed by a decision on cattle. Full access for Canadian beef was secured in July 2010.

The Vietnamese industry has expressed strong interest in live cattle from Canada as well as live sheep and goats.