MP Allen Talks Agriculture in Cuba

January 18, 2010

TOBIQUE-MACTAQUAC — As co-chair of the Canada-Cuba Parliamentary Friendship group, Tobique-Mactaquac Member of Parliament Mike Allen met with agricultural leaders and businesses on the Caribbean island last week.

“Canada has a long-standing trade relationship with Cuba, including over 90 years of importing seed potatoes from New Brunswick and specifically from our region,” Mr. Allen said. “All of the meetings I was involved in during my first visit to the country were very productive.”

During his visit, Mr. Allen met with the President of the Committee on Agriculture Activities, the Vice-President of the Canada-Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Group, the sub-director responsible for the potato crop within the Ministry of Agriculture, the President of the Cuban import company that imports food products, and a representative of a research and development lab doing innovative cancer research.

“Discussion centered on our trade relationship and the future potential for agricultural products,” said Mr. Allen, who serves a Chair of the Atlantic Conservative Caucus. “The potential for continuing exports in the agriculture area is bright assuming our ability to provide the types of varieties needed for their climate and growing conditions.”

Allen added that the biggest obstacle for Cuba is access to credit and specifically Export Development Canada’s ability to assist them with food import financing.