Federal trade minister to China on canola issues: ‘prove it’

Federal international trade minister Jim Carr is asking Saskatchewan farmers to “hang tight” as the Liberal government continues to work with China on solving a canola access issue.

The federal government has faced criticism from Premier Scott Moe and others for failing to focus on relations with China after the Asian power banned imports of Richardson International Ltd. canola last week.

Carr spoke to the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) on Thursday morning on issues of trade and market access, and to address the canola conundrum.

“I know how important it is for you and how difficult the moment is,” he told SARM delegates in Saskatoon.

He assured the crowd the Canadian government is trying to keep the discussion with China based in science instead of trending towards thinking the ban is connected to the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou.

“China has said there are imperfections in this canola, and we have said, ‘Show us, prove it to us. Where is the evidence?’ ” he said. “We can work through these issues, if they’re real.”

After his speech to the SARM convention, Carr was asked by 650 CKOM what would happen if China refused to produce any evidence.

“Well, let’s take it one day at a time,” he responded.

The federal minister was also asked by other reporters if any supports would be offered to producers if they aren’t able to access the Chinese market.

Carr maintained he’s hopeful a solution can be found before farmers begin spring seeding.

“Hang tight,” he said.

He added canola growers could also start looking at other Asian markets as destinations, because of the access opened up by the Trans-Pacific Partnership — noting the Japanese market has potential for $700 million in canola exports.