Gerry Ritz - File Photo

A successful mission to Turkey by Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz has led to an agreement to open market access for Canadian breeding cattle.

The deal is estimated to be worth $4.5 million annually.

Ritz was in Turkey this week for the G20 Ministerial Agricultural Meeting, where he advocated agricultural innovation, including biotechnology, to sustainably increase safe food production, and improve farmers’ incomes.

"Increasing global agricultural trade, as well as encouraging innovation through biotechnology, are foundational to ensure food security," said Ritz. "Collaborative efforts will certainly bring more economic prosperity and growth for farmers in Canada and around the world."

Ritz also met with European Union Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan to welcome the signing of the Canada-EU Free Trade Agreement. Both parties agreed on the need for a timely implementation of the deal.

The 20 members also adopted a joint statement that supports information sharing on agricultural technologies and markets.

Canadian agriculture and seafood exports in 2014 to G20 partners totalled $43.4 billion.