Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Croatia, Mr. Peter Cobankovic, on the second day of his visit to Canada February 8th, 2007, met with the Minister of Agriculture of Canada, Honorable Chuck Strahl, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Honorable Loyola Hearn and the Executive Vice-President of Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Dr. Andre Gravel. Minister Cobankovic was presented to the Members of Parliament in the House of Commons during the actual Parliamentary Session.
The Ambassador of Croatia, Vesela Mrden Korac, First Secretary of the Embassy of Croatia, Antun Mahnic, State Secretary Zdravko Krmek and Senior Advisor Ivanka Drmic of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Croatia attended the discussion on behalf of the Croatian side.
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Croatia, Mr. Peter Cobankovic, on the second day of his visit to Canada February 8th, 2007, met with the Minister of Agriculture of Canada, Honorable Chuck Strahl, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Honorable Loyola Hearn and the Executive Vice-President of Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Dr. Andre Gravel. Minister Cobankovic was presented to the Members of Parliament in the House of Commons during the actual Parliamentary Session.
The Ambassador of Croatia, Vesela Mrden Korac, First Secretary of the Embassy of Croatia, Antun Mahnic, State Secretary Zdravko Krmek and Senior Advisor Ivanka Drmic of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Croatia attended the discussion on behalf of the Croatian side.
Minister Cobankovic informed his colleagues of the status of the Croatian agriculture and fisheries and pointed out that Croatia is committed to the growth of better agricultural quality and worth. The Minister indicated the strategic aim primarily suit's one's own needs as in the sector of tourism. He also emphasized that Croatia is rebuilding and modernizing its fishing fleet to increase fish stock so that it will be ready for the quota distribution upon entering the EU. The Minister presented Croatia's aquatic ecosystem conservation zone and exchanged his experiences regarding the Bird Flu Epidemic noting Croatian results on the matter.
In the meeting with Minister Loyola Hearn of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Minister Cobankovic familiarized himself with Canadian experiences regarding the protection of the fishing belt, exchanged views on the problematic tuna harvest and was informed of Canada's views on the hunt of seals.
During the discussions, the Minister emphasized strengthening economical collaboration in agriculture between the two countries. In the talks with Dr. Gravel, Minister Cobankovic spoke of his satisfaction with the Canadian Government's decision in 2006 to allow the import of Croatian canned meats and expressed interest in expanding the assortment to include smoked meats, sausages and dairy products - particularly cheeses. The Department of Veterinary Science of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Croatia will send an official letter to this Canadian institution with the list of products, manufacturers and their safety standards to facilitate the process of importation for the Canadian market.
In talking with his host Minister Strahl, Minister Cobankovic expressed Croatia's interest in importing Canadian cattle for reproduction and Croatia's intentions on lifting the ban on the import of Canadian beef, imposed due to the ban on beef fed with meat byproducts. Both parties expressed interest in signing a suitable collaborating Agreement in the shortest time period.
The Minister informed his partners of the ongoing talks for the Republic of Croatia's full membership in the European Union with emphasis on the agriculture food sector and the coordinating of the legislature. The Canadian partners gave Croatia their full support and conveyed their confidence that Croatia's membership will contribute in strengthening Canadian-Croatian economic relations.
Minister Cobankovic conveyed to his counterparts of the Croatian Community in Toronto and how he was encouraged by their interest in business ties with Croatia, distribution of Croatian food products on the Canadian market and investments in Croatian agriculture.
Minister Hearn and Minister Cobankovic exchanged invitationthe fish trade.
In between meetings the Minister and members of the delegation had the opportunity to visit the Croatian Embassy in Ottawa.
In his visit to Canada, Minister Cobankovic continued on to Vancouver where he will again meet with his host, Agricultural Minister Chuck Strahl and the Forestry Minister of British Columbia, Mr. Rich Coleman. There he will meet with the Croatian community and visit farms in the greater Vancouver area.
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