Premier Scott Moe says an upcoming trade mission to China is aimed at protecting and expanding Saskatchewan’s role in global agriculture markets, particularly for canola. Moe confirmed he will travel to China within the next week, representing not only producers in Saskatchewan but also the wider Canadian canola sector and agriculture industry. “This is an industry that employs about 200,000 people in our nation and generates between $40 and $45 billion each year,” Moe said. “It’s not just important to Saskatchewan or the Prairies, but to all Canadians, directly or indirectly.” The premier said discussions will focus on maintaining market access for canola, pulses, pork and seafood, but stressed that opportunities extend beyond any single commodity. “My goal is to help pave the way for broader agreements with China as we diversify our trade,” the Premier continued. “There’s a bigger conversation to be had, not just with China, but also with India and other countries around the worl
Ottawa has announced $370 million in new support for Canadian canola producers facing massive tariffs from China. The federal government said Friday that a new biofuel production incentive is meant to address “immediate competitiveness challenges” after China hit Canadian canola with a 75.8 per cent tariff last month. The measure was widely seen as a response to Canada’s 100 per cent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles. The funds are meant to “assist domestic producers and restructure their value chains,” Prime Minister Mark Carney said in prepared remarks as he announced a suite of supports for tariff-affected sectors in Mississauga, Ont. Carney also said the government will amend its Clean Fuel Regulations to “spur the development of a vibrant biofuels industry in Canada.” And he said the government will temporarily increase the amount producers can receive in interest-free advances to $500,000, and boost funding to support diversification to new markets. A day earlier, Carney’
The Canadian canola industry is disappointed with the support measures announced today by the federal government in response to the closure of the Chinese market to Canadian canola seed, oil and meal. The announced measures fall short of what is required to support the industry during this unprecedented trade disruption. “We are discouraged with the government’s support package for the industry. The measures announced today do not reflect the seriousness of the challenge facing the value chain,” says Chris Davison, Canola Council of Canada (CCC) President & CEO. “We have communicated the need for appropriate financial and policy supports, and the federal government has missed the mark.” “Farmers should not be expected to borrow their way out of this situation," says Rick White, President & CEO of the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA). “The Advanced Payments Program (APP) is not designed to provide the required support canola farmers need under this situation,” says White. “
Data from the Fertilizer Shipments Survey are now available from The Daily.
The federal government is rolling out a suite of new measures to strengthen Canada’s canola sector and broader agriculture industry against mounting trade and policy challenges.
Comment by OntAG Admin on December 18, 2013 at 9:47am
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