Winnipeg, MB — Earlier today the Government of Canada announced a formal request for bilateral consultations with China at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
"Canola farmers welcome this news and see it as an important next step in resolving the current canola trade dispute with China," says Bernie McClean, President of Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA).
"We are disappointed that efforts to date have not led to a resolution," says Rick White, Chief Executive Officer of CCGA. "We hope that formal consultations will result in a mutual agreement based on science, so that canola trade can resume with predictability."
China has been an important export market for Canadian canola and impacts from the trade dispute have been felt on canola farms across Canada. CCGA has been bringing the concerns of canola farmers forward to the Canola Working Group.
"The Canola Working Group has been meeting regularly to discuss impacts and potential solutions to our current trade situation with China," says White. "This formal request under the WTO is an example of how the Working Group's efforts are being put into action."
Several other recommendations to the Working Group are still under discussion, including market diversification activities, both domestic and export, and requests for improvements to Business Risk Management Programs.
CCGA represents canola farmers on national and international issues, policies and programs that impact farm profitability and is an official administrator of the Government of Canada's Advance Payments Program.