Canadians face a Sept. 1 deadline that could stop canola
exports to its largest customer, China.
Already there are no new orders after Sept. 1, just as
Prairie farmers are harvesting a bumper crop.
Intense negotiations are underway, but both sides appear set
in their opinions – the Chinese that Canadian canola could be contaminated with
blackleg disease that could threaten China’s rapeseed crop, the Canadians that
farming practices mean there is little risk to China.
The technical issue is China’s intention to reduce the limit
for “foreign materials” from 2.5 to one per cent.
Patti Miller, president of the Canola Council of Canada,
told Reuters News Agency that “it’s a pretty difficult time right now.
“Both sides have been very open in expressing their desire
to find a resolution, but there is a significant difference in opinion.”
The two countries’ inspection agencies are working to find a
“reasonable solution,” said Yang Yundong, spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in
Canada.
