December 7, 2009

China defends curbing canola imports--for farm safety

China's quarantine of Canadian canola imports is an emergency measure taken for the safety of the farming sector, and doesn't constitute a trade restriction, China's Vice Minister for Agriculture Wei Chaoan has told Canadian Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, according to a statement posted on the Chinese ministry's Web site Friday (December 4).

A Canadian delegation accompanying Prime Minister Stephen Harper on a visit to China had raised the issue at a bilateral meeting Thursday, according to the statement.

Wei said Chinese inspectors found blackleg fungus on some Canadian canola, and took "normal quarantine measures."

According to the statement, the Canadian delegation said it was "worried" about the Chinese measures, and hoped Chinese they wouldn't affect Canadian canola exports.