Government urged to take action on durum

Sep 9, 2019 | 2:06 PM

The Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (SaskWheat) is calling on the federal government to start World Trade Organization (WTO) action to lift country of origin labelling (COOL) restrictions on durum in Italy.

SaskWheat Chair Laura Reiter said Italy was once the top importer of Canadian durum, importing over one million tonnes annually. That has dropped since the COOL requirements were adopted in 2017, to just over 328,000 tonnes in the 2017-18 crop year.

“The recent action taken by the Government of Canada on behalf of Canadian canola farmers was a positive step,” Reiter said in a news release. “Similar action needs to be taken on durum as there has been a severe financial impact on Canadian farmers since Italy began their COOL requirements for durum two years ago.”

Saskatchewan produces 80 to 85 per cent of Canada’s durum crop annually.

Vice Chair Scott Hepworth said the trade action has taken a significant toll on the industry and on durum farmers across the province.

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“The prospects for durum farmers to find a market for their crop have gone down and we have seen this reflected in the seeded acres declining,” Hepworth said. “We need the Government of Canada to settle this dispute, as Saskatchewan durum farmers are losing out on potential market opportunities.”

Sask Wheat will be corresponding with Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and International Trade Diversification Minister Jim Carr on taking further steps.

SaskWheat will also be seeking meetings with each minister to discuss Italy’s COOL restrictions and other matters of importance to Saskatchewan wheat producers following the upcoming federal election.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF

by Alice McFarlane

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Government urged to take action on durum

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