June 16, 2010

 

Canada makes progress in rapeseed exports to China

Canada has secured an extension of transitional measures, thereby facilitating rapeseed producers to export their crops to China.

 

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced that, starting June 14, Canadian rapeseed exporters will be able to sign contracts to export the 2010 crop to China.

 

"This is good news for Canadian rapeseed producers who depend on the Chinese market, but we realise there's still a lot of work left to do before rapeseed trade with China is fully normalised," said Minister Ritz.

 

In the fall of 2009, exports of Canadian rapeseed were impacted by import restrictions related to blackleg. At that time, Canada negotiated transitional measures for the 2009 crop year. The current announcement is an extension of that temporary import agreement for the 2010 crop.

 

"I raised the rapeseed issue with my Chinese counterparts during the recent Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministerial meetings in Japan," said Peter Van Loan, Minister of International Trade. "While we are pleased with the progress on this issue, it will be raised again at every opportunity to ensure our rapeseed producers gain long term access to the Chinese market."

 

The government of Canada is committed to fully restoring Canada's rapeseed exports to China. The extension of the agreement will allow the Canadian rapeseed industry to pursue the signing of contracts with their Chinese importers for the 2010 crop year, which begins in August. This extension will have a significant economic impact for the Canadian rapeseed producers as China is one of Canada's major rapeseed export markets.