The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association’s (CCA) Executive Vice President received a special invite from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Dennis Laycraft was in Ottawa Sunday, April 28 as one of the guests at a Luncheon with Trudeau and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

In their newsletter, the CCA says discussions included the benefits of trade to Canadian agriculture under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The Canadian Government says there has been a significant increase in demand since the trade agreement came into force, and some Canadian beef products exported to Japan have increased nearly threefold.

The Canadian Cattlemen's Association says in February this year, Japanese officials were in the advanced steps of recommending eliminating the requirement that imported beef be from cattle under 30 months of age.

The group anticipates this could be approved by mid 2019, which will expand beef export opportunities to Japan.

The Prime Ministers also finalized two memorandums during the visit.

In a release the Government says the first Memorandum of Cooperation between Invest in Canada and the Japan External Trade Organization will make it easier for Canadian and Japanese companies to work in partnership, in turn driving investment in both our countries.

They say the second Memorandum of Understanding between the National Research Council of Canada and the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International of Japan will support joint research and development in fields such as robotics and telecommunications.

Japan is set to host the G20 Summit from June 28 to 29.