Harper Government Makes Investment to Develop   Key Export Markets for Canadian-Bred Horses     Winnipeg, MB, February 7, 2014 - On behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, Member of Parliament Ted Falk (Provencher) announced today an investment of up to $483,650 in Equine Canada (EC) to help develop key export markets with long-term potential for the sale of Canadian-bred horses and horse genetics. The goal is to help Canadian horse breeders compete effectively and successfully in the international market place.   EC will lead missions to, and host visitors from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China and South Africa to enable Canadian and foreign stakeholders to meet face to face. To capitalize on the large number of international visitors expected to attend the PanAm Games in Toronto in 2015, EC will also hold a PanAmerican Showcase featuring Canadian horses.   Quick Facts There are more than 900,000 horses in Canada. Their use for sport and leisure, tourism, breeding, food production and related industries involves one million Canadians.  The horse industry supports more than 77,000 on-farm jobs for the breeding and care of horses.  Equine Canada is a national sport and recreation equine organization that promotes the achievements of Canadian-bred horses to boost the profile of the industry.  Canada and the European Union (EU) have reached an agreement in principle on a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement that will significantly boost trade and investment ties. Upon entry into force, almost 94 per cent of EU agricultural tariff lines will be duty-free.  This investment is made through the Market Development stream of the Government of Canada's AgriMarketing Program, a five-year, $341-million initiative under Growing Forward 2.    "The Government of Canada remains committed to supporting the agricultural industry through strategic investments to grow international markets. This investment will help the equine sector develop key export markets for our Canadian-bred horses to ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry." said Ted Falk, Member of Parliament for Provencher.   "Equine Canada is extremely pleased to receive funding under the Growing Forward 2 AgriMarketing. We believe strongly in the importance of this program on behalf of our industry. This funding is another step towards ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Canadian equine industry. We have two main objectives: develop key export markets with long-term potential for the sale of Canadian-Bred horses and the rejuvenation of domestic demand for those horses by showcasing the wide range of opportunities available to the new generation of Canadian horse owners." said Michael Gallagher, President Equine Canada.   For more information on the programs please follow the links below: Growing Forward 2 (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) AgriMarketing Program (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) Comprehensive Economic Trade and Agreement (Canada's Economic Action Plan)   Contacts Jeff English Director of Communications Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz 613-773-1059   Media Relations Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada 613-773-7972 1-866-345-7972 Follow us on Twitter: @AAFC_Canada   - 30 -    Source/Source : Carmen Marson-Awad  Media Relations Coordinator/Coordonnatrice des communications  Equine Canada/Canada Hippique  Tel./Tél. (613) 287-1515 ext./poste 136  E-mail/Courriel : cmarson-awad@equinecanada.ca   Our new address: 308 Legget Drive, Suite 100, Ottawa ON  K2K 1Y6  Our new phone number: (613) 287-1515   Our toll-free and fax numbers remain the same:   Toll free - 1-866-282-8395, Fax - (613) 248-3484