(Media Release)

June 15, 2010 – The Canola Council of Canada (CCC) today applauded the news that China is extending access for canola seed imports for one year under the current restrictions. 

"This is very good news and it shows that China values its canola trade relationship with Canada," said CCC president JoAnne Buth. "The extension will allow Canadian farmers some access to China for the 2010 crop. This development is the result of persistent efforts in China by the Government of Canada and our industry."

In November, 2009, China imposed a quarantine order to block the importation of Canadian canola seed testing positive for the presence of blackleg, a fungal disease which can reduce canola yields.

For the marketing of the 2009 Canadian canola crop, China implemented a transition year during which Canadian canola testing positive for blackleg can only be delivered to a limited number of facilities. These locations are in areas where Chinese rapeseed is not grown and is meant to reduce the chances of blackleg being transferred to the domestic rapeseed crop. The one-year extension means deliveries can continue to these ports.

Buth thanked Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz for the federal government’s campaign of constantly raising the issue with China at every opportunity.

"While the extension keeps the door slightly open to China, it doesn’t open it any wider," she said. "We still have only very limited access, so we will continue to work with China to address their blackleg concerns and to restore full trade."

Canada is undertaking cooperative studies with China to analyze ways to mitigate the transfer of blackleg to China’s crop, and to undertake dairy feed trials to increase the value of canola meal in China.

China was Canada's largest canola seed market in 2008-09 at 2.8 million tonnes. Under current restrictions, Canada’s access is limited to 1.4 to 1.5 million tonnes annually.

As of April 2010, Canada had shipped 1.62 million tonnes in 2009-10, just over 1 million tonnes before November 15, 2009.

The SCGA has submitted a letter to CFIA regarding interim variety registrations.  You can read the letter here. (click here)

The SCGA has submitted a letter to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment about the proposed regulations for greenhouse gases in the province.  You may read the letter here. (click here)

The SCGA has made a submission to the federal Rail Freight Service Review Panel.  You may read the submission here. (click here)

The Saskatchewan Agri-Value Initiative (SAVI) can provide funding up to $50,000 for business development expertise and business assessment tools.

Click here for the ad or go to www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca for more information.

This issue recently has arisen as China will require all canola shipments from Canada to be tested for blackleg after November 15.

You may find more information from the Canola Council of Canada at this link.

While selling canola off the combine can be an option, you might be looking for other ways to generate cash flow while providing flexibility to sell your canola when market conditions are favourable to you. That’s where the Advance Payment Program offered through the Canadian Canola Growers Association can play a role. Producers are eligible for a cash advance up to $400,000, with a $100,000 interest-free portion.

To apply: go to www.ccga.ca; call the CCGA at 1-866-745-2256; or fill out an application at your local elevator. If you already have a pre-harvest cash advance from the CCGA, you may be eligible for an additional advance or can extend your repayment deadline by completing Part 3 of your application.

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Saskatchewan Canola Growers Association Statement on the recent finding by the Canadian Transportation Agency that CN and CP exceeded the revenue cap
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