The veal of Quebec on its way to Japan!
Jan 16, 2006
LONGUEUIL, Jan. 10 /CNW Telbec/ - Specialized in the production of veal, the Quebec company Ecolait is proud to announce that an export agreement was made with the Japan representatives that visited the company's installations in Laplaine, last December. The first lots of veal left Quebec last January 4th for the Land of Rising Sun, the very first shipping since the closing of Japan borders to Canadian beef, on May 2003.
"One of the elements that have greatly impressed the Japanese representatives is that in Quebec, we are able to provide the date of birth of the animals thanks to the Agri-Traçabilité Québec database", said Mr. Arthur Batista, Ecolait sales and export manager. This company, which maintains the highest standards of quality in milk-fed calf production from the farm to the finished products represents 150 specialized calf producers growing more than 95,000 animals (or 11,000 tons of veal) per year.
Agri-Traçabilité Québec (ATQ) was among the organizations that were invited to present the expertise developed in Quebec in the area of permanent identification and traceability of agri-food products to the Japanese representatives. According to the president of ATQ board of directors, Mrs. Martine Mercier, "We can only be delighted of this agreement between Ecolait and Japan. It is clear that the fact of being equipped with an effective traceability system since 2002 is a major asset for Quebec, especially when facing increasingly high consumer's requirements from here... and elsewhere!"
The company Ecolait, which is strongly established in Quebec since 1979, is well positioned to become the North American leader in veal export on the international markets. This Quebec company, which is also HACCP, Halal and Kosher certified, sells its products everywhere in Canada, in the United States, as well as in Europe and in the Middle East.
Agri-Traçabilité Québec is a stand-alone non-profit organization established in September 2001 to develop, implement and to operate a permanent identification and traceability system for Quebec agricultural products, both of animal and vegetal origin. The traceability of animals from the farm to the slaughterhouse has been implemented since June 2002 in the dairy and beef cattle sectors, and since December 2004 in the ovine sector (lambs and sheep).
For further information: Arthur Batista, Sales and export manager, Ecolait, (450) 478-2055, www.ecolait.com; Sylvie Boutin, Information counsellor, Agri-Traçabilité Québec, 1-866-270-4319, ext. 5103, www.agri-tracabilite.qc.ca
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