April 19, 2010

 

Canada and China make progress in agriculture partnerships

 
 

Canada and China have forged historic agricultural partnerships, Canada's Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced on April 15.

 

Ritz made the announcement following an agricultural trade mission to Beijing and Inner Mongolia where he and Canadian farm leaders worked together to strengthen export opportunities for Canadian pulses, rapeseed, beef, grain and hogs.

 

"Fifty years ago, Canadian farmers made history by delivering huge shipments of wheat to answer an urgent call for food in China and we are proud of the close partnership we have with China that remains strong today," Ritz said. "We're making history again as China continues to lead the world by striving to make its food supply more nutritious and Canadian producers are stepping up with innovative new techniques and products to answer that call."

 

Canadian pulse producers led the way with initiatives that will increase the value of Canadian pulse exports to China to an estimated total of CAD500 million (US$499 million).

 

Ritz also continued to work with Chinese officials to resolve restrictions on Canadian rapeseed exports to China. While that work continues, the Canola Council of Canada (CCC) announced it will invest funding provided by the Canada's Agri-Flexibility programme to drive initiatives aimed at stabilising and expanding Canadian rapeseed exports to China. The CCC will conduct field demonstrations and surveys to identify ways to minimise the risk of blackleg, a fungal disease in rapeseed.

 

The CCC estimates that Canadian rapeseed producers could benefit from an additional CAD70 million (US$69.8 million) by increasing the value of rapeseed meal in China.

 

"Resolving the blackleg restrictions on our rapeseed exports to China will take more time and more hard work," Ritz said. "But while we continue to do that work as quickly as possible, we're also moving forward by finding new ways to increase the value of rapeseed in the Chinese market, such as boosting demand for meal by their dairy industry."

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