Canada's Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay was in Paris last week meeting with ministers and senior officals from over 40 countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Committee of Agriculture Ministerial meetings.

Conversations were centred around strengthening international trade, with a focus on building a productive, sustainable, and resilient global food system.

"Discussions focused on the challenges and opportunities of feeding a growing population while protecting natural resources and supporting sustainable agricultural practices," MacAulay said in a telephone conference following the meetings.

While in Paris, MacAulay says he also met with key representatives from France and the European Commission to discuss the Canada-EU Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement (CETA).

"That was discussed, I must say, with both ministers, and as you know. We are also keen — and so are they, it would seem — but there's certainly no decision on when ratification would take place," he says.

In the teleconference, MacAulay was also asked about a compensation package for supply-managed farmers who could potentially be affected by CETA. MacAulay says because the deal is not done, it's a little early to be discussing this.

"Governments generally don't come out with this before something happens," he says. "I believe it's a normal path for government — number one, we would ratify, and then number two we would deal with the issue. But we're not trying to avoid it or anything, for sure."

MacAulay adds they are continually in discussion with industry about CETA.