Winnipeg, MB — Canadian canola growers welcome the joint outcomes of the Canada-China Dialogue, which concluded yesterday in Beijing. The two countries agreed to double agriculture trade by 2025, and to work on priority sectors, while continuing to further explore a comprehensive trade agreement.
"Agriculture has been identified as a priority sector with the primary goal to double agricultural trade by 2025," says Jack Froese, President of the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) and a farmer from Manitoba. "Canola leads Canada's exports to China, and this objective will help strengthen our relationship further, while working towards a longer term free trade agreement".
"China is a critical market for Canadian canola and we are looking for mechanisms to address both tariff and non-tariff barriers," says Rick White, CEO of CCGA. "The outcomes announced put us in the right direction and will help to further expand market opportunities."
Minister of International Trade Diversification, Jim Carr, and Minister of Finance, Bill Morneau, met with their Chinese counterparts during the first-ever Canada-China Economic and Financial Strategic Dialogue. Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lawrence MacAulay is also in China this week promoting Canadian agriculture and was present at the Dialogue. Later this week, CCGA representatives Jack Froese and Rick White will join Minister MacAulay as part of the agricultural industry delegation in China.
"Of specific interest for canola farmers are outcomes that deal with innovation," says White. "Within these, Canada and China agree to carry out approval processes for biotechnology products and strengthen science and technology cooperation in oilseeds. This will provide a platform to further discuss and find resolution to outstanding issues, such as unresolved biotech approvals for three canola traits".
Canola exports are currently Canada's number one export to China and valued at $3.6 billion in 2017.
CCGA represents more than 43,000 canola farmers on national and international issues, policies and programs that impact farm profitability and is a member of the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA).