(Alice McFarlane/farmnewsNOW Staff)

By Alice McFarlane

Canadian canola

Farmers frustrated with canola trade dispute

Apr 9, 2019 | 2:13 PM

China’s decision to block imports of Canadian canola products is a significant threat to Canada’s agriculture industry.

That was the message from farmers appearing at the House of Commons Agriculture Committee.

Nipawin area farmer Terry Youzwa, speaking via video link, said the trade disputes are a troubling trend and called on Ottawa to act quickly.

“China is vital market. They like and need our product. Reach out to them with two high level groups, one technical and one political,” Youzwa said. “Fill the ambassador position with an ag champion. This matter needs urgent resolution.”

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Speaking in Ottawa, Kyle area farmer Megz Reynolds said a recent report named agriculture as one of the possible top six drivers of the Canadian economy.

“This information was used to create ambitious targets for us to hit both domestically and internationally by 2025,” Reynolds said. “Now I ask you, how are we in agriculture going to have any hope of meeting these targets when we do not have healthy, bilateral trade agreements, relationships or respect on the global trading platform our country relies on.”

Since the Chinese announced they are unwilling to purchase Canadian canola seed many farmers still have last years’ canola in their bins.

Penhold, Alberta farmer Mark Kaun said he is holding 500 metric tonnes of unpriced 2018 canola. That is the majority of the 600 metric tonnes he produced last year.

“My first 100 metric tonnes was contracted in the summer and sold and delivered in November for $11.30 (a bushel). The first week of February prices were around $11.00 and I was getting ready to sell the rest of my crop,” Kaun said. “Ten days later my crop was worth a dollar a bushel less. A cost of $25,000 to my bottom line.”

Stephen Vandervalk is a fourth generation farmer from the Fort Macleod area of southern Alberta. He said the statement from China that they are not buying Canadian canola because of dangerous pests is ludicrous.

“Canada is known to consistently grow the best canola is the world. This is a political issue, pure and simple,” Vandervalk said. “Political problems need political solutions. If we must play the game of grain inspection, so be it. But in the meantime, Canadian grain farmers are the ones paying the price for the political failings.”

Farmers from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta and Quebec made presentations to the agriculture committee this morning.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF