December 16, 2019

Canada's Prime Minister calls for assistance to farmers affected by trade dispute

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged the country's Agriculture Ministry to help farmers affected by trade and diplomatic disputes by other countries, referencing the Canada-China row, reported Reuters.

According to a formal letter from the Prime Minister to Marie-Claude Bibeau, Canada's Agriculture Minister, he said the Agriculture Minister should lean on lessons drawn from recent canola, beef and swine export trade disputes, in addition to quicker short-term support to be provided to the industry.

Canada's farm groups are putting pressure on the Canadian government, calling for support to local producers affected by trade dispute.

In early 2019, a federal loan programme offering financial assistance to local canola seed farmers was extended after the farmers were affected by China's import ban. A formal process to challenge China at the World Trade Organisation has been drawn up by the Canadian government.

Marie-Claude Bibeau said she will work on the priorities called for by the Prime Minister with the industry and her provincial counterparts.

Beef and pork exports from Canada were suspended by China for four months because of food safety issues after false export certificates were found, with exports resuming in November 2019 once officials from Canada submitted plans to manage China's concerns.

-  Reuters