Canola Council of Canada JoAnne Buth expressed appreciation for the government of Canada’s support in helping to address trade issues that threaten the viability of Canada’s canola farmers.
Her remarks were on the occasion of federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz’s announcement in Saskatoon of $7.8 million in federal support from Canada’s Economic Action Plan for the Canola Market Access Plan (MAP) 2015.
“Canada’s canola sector needs a well thought out, strategic, proactive plan for ensuring market access in the future,” said Buth. “The Canola Market Access Plan 2015 will give us that. It is a comprehensive approach to addressing export market issues that threaten the health of Canada’s canola industry, the livelihoods of Canadian canola growers, and the ability for our industry to reach our 2015 targets.
“I absolutely believe the target – 15 million tonnes of market demand and sustainable canola production – is achievable. The Canola Market Access Plan 2015 will help get us there.”
The Canola MAP 2015 will include a comprehensive long term strategy, a Rapid Response Plan to be employed when market access is at risk and plans for specific markets. It will also include an extensive information program focused on ensuring growers understand their role in ensuring their crops are export ready.
The bottom line is that Canola MAP 2015 is about Canadian canola farmers,” said Buth. They depend on foreign trade for about 90 percent of their annual production.
Buth also thanked the federal government for its quick response to the current trade issues in China and urged the Minister to continue to take leadership to re-store Canada’s canola trade with China. “Our trade with China is still blocked. Last year, Canada sold $1.3 billion of canola seed to China. We need the Government of Canada’s continued full support to restore this trade”.
“China is a very important market for Canada’s 50,000 canola growers. “When our access to the market was threatened, your department acted quickly. The newly created Market Access Secretariat showed its strength in mobilizing the government response and working with the industry. Believe me, Canadian canola farmers and the canola industry recognize this effort”, said Buth. “Clearly, this effort needs to continue so we regain this market”
