(Alice McFarlane/farmnewsNOW Staff)

By Alice McFarlane

Canadian Canola

China blocks canola from Viterra

Mar 27, 2019 | 12:45 PM

Another Canadian company’s registration to sell canola in China was cancelled.

Viterra was excluded from sending product to China due to what Chinese officials call “hazardous organisms.”

Member of Parliament for Regina – Wascana and Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale told reporters yesterday the issue is a priority for the federal government.

“With both Richardson and now Viterra, the Chinese have made a complaint that there is something contaminating the shipments. We do not believe that is true,” Goodale said. “We have asked for any evidence that they can put forward that there is any contamination, any technical problem with the quality or the standards. No evidence has been produced.”

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Many analysts believe this is more of a diplomatic dispute rather than a phytosanitary issue. The recent arrest of a Huawei executive in B.C. created tensions between the two countries.

Goodale said it’s important to stay focused on the matter at hand.

“What we have to do is all of us get our shoulder to the wheel and push in the same direction by every diplomatic and scientific means possible to win the argument,” Goodale said. “The key thing is keeping the focus on science because on a scientific base we’re sure we’ll win.”

China is a major market for Canadian canola, accounting for approximately 40 per cent of all canola seed, oil and meal exports. Canola seed exports to China were worth $2.7 billion in 2018.

The council said demand had been very strong until recently.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

OnTwitter: @AliceMcF