(Alice McFarlane/farmnewsNOW Staff)

By Alice McFarlane

Canadian Canola

Status quo on Canadian canola to China

Mar 31, 2020 | 4:24 PM

Canadian canola seed will continue to move into China but two companies will continue to be shut out of that market.

Canola Council of Canada President Jim Everson said contrary to some media reports, nothing has changed between the two countries.

Everson said the two sides spoke on Monday.

“The Government of Canada and China had another of their infrequent calls to talk about the trade in canola. There’s some media that has come out of that call. But essentially, the news is that China has agreed the current trade in canola can continue,” he said.

Everson said Canada has been shipping roughly 30 per cent of what the country had been trading prior to March 2019 when China blocked shipments from Viterra and Richardson.

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“They were our two largest exporters when China removed their shipping permits,” he said. “China has basically said trade can continue and Viterra and Richardson are blocked from trading canola seed. So things have not really changed.”

Everson said the phone call was confirmation the current trade between China and Canada will continue and while continued discussions are a good thing, they’re still waiting for more information.

“The Government of Canada and Canadian Food Inspection agencies still have not received what they think are proper explanations for the blockage of canola seed to China. So, whenever discussions are taking place, that’s better than nothing but we still need to understand this challenge and we need to be able to fully open the market,” he said.

Everson said there is a great deal of attention on the COVID-19 pandemic. He said all aspects of the food chain need to be vigilant.

“By and large I think it is going reasonably well. Given the circumstances, the companies have responded in different approaches to ensuring that they’re able to provide inputs to producers while respecting the public health officials guidelines on separation,” he said. “I believe the same is true at processing plants and elevators where different procedures have been put in place. All companies have implemented procedures to make sure they’re keeping their employees safe.”

Everson said all sectors need to follow public health messages.

“From what I understand, the rail and trucking systems are working relatively well and there are no concerns at the moment about the lack of inputs for producers putting the crop in in 2020,” he said.

Everson said everyone must watch the situation closely and be sure that if employees become ill in the future there are ways of dealing with it.

“We need to continue to provide the essential service of providing food to Canadians,” he said.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF