Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau. (Twitter/@mclaudebibeau)

By Alice McFarlane

Rail Blockades

Blockades on the mind of federal ag minister

Feb 21, 2020 | 1:00 PM

The federal agriculture minister has wrapped up meetings south of the border.

Marie-Claude Bibeau visited Washington, D.C. and Arlington, Virginia where she met with agriculture leaders from the United States, Mexico and Argentina to discuss trade, agricultural innovations and food security.

She spoke to reporters while attending the U.S. Department of Agriculture Outlook conference.

While talks aimed at finding a resolution to the various rail blockades around the country are continuing, Bibeau expressed concern about the growing losses due to the blockade. Some estimates put the amount at $64 million a week.

“Blockades have impacts directly on our farmers all across the value chain. And I’m afraid that it could have an impact on our reputation internationally as a reliable partner if it lasted any longer,” she said.

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Bibeau said the Trudeau government wants to be sure to make the best decision on the blockades.

“We don’t want to find a solution that would be good for a couple of days and would just get worse very quickly after,” she said. “It’s a very complex situation and I can assure you that we are working day and night on this to find a sustainable but also peaceful resolution.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to hold a news conference this afternoon to provide an update on discussions which included a phone call with premiers last night.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF