Agriculture Minister Devin Dreeshen (second from left), Premier Jason Kenney (third from left), and representatives of beef, pork and canola producers in Alberta. Photo supplied by the province.

By Curtis Galbraith

Agriculture

Provincial politicians asking Albertans to support farmers, ranchers

Jul 4, 2019 | 4:07 PM

The provincial government is calling on people to support Alberta farmers and ranchers as they deal with trade disputes.

Provincial politicians were joined by industry representatives from the beef, pork, and canola sectors at a barbecue meant to drum up support held Wednesday at the Alberta legislature.

Agriculture Minister Devin Dreeshen hosted the event.

“The Alberta government is there, we support you, and Albertans support you. It’s happy, when we go shopping, to try to find Alberta beef and Alberta pork and to make sure we support our farmers and our producers during this difficult time (and) do it because it tastes good and it’s high-quality and it’s really good food.”

Premier Jason Kenney told the gathering his government wants to diversify Alberta’s export markets, adding this province can’t depend on one or two.

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“We’re going to be focusing on southeast Asia and other developing markets where you have (a) growing middle class, bigger budgets, and larger appetites for world-class food, the kind of stuff we produce right here in Alberta.”

Kenney added that his government would be joining the effort against trade restrictions from China.

“We will add our voice to that of the federal government in opposing unfair, unscientific, and prejudicial restrictions on the export of Canadian agricultural products, especially right now, the Chinese de facto ban on Canadian beef, pork, and canola.”

Kenney also called on the people at the barbecue to thank farmers “for all they do to feed us.”