Question Period Note: Canada's market access to China for canola seed and beef/pork products

Chinese restrictions on imports of Canadian canola seed and meat products

• Restoring full market access for Canadian canola seed to China is a top priority for the Government of Canada.

• On October 28, 2019, Canada met with China for consultation on the canola issue at the World Trade Organization.

• We continue to hold technical discussions with officials, and are reviewing the additional information provided by China during consultations before determining next steps

• We will continue to engage with agricultural stakeholders through the Government established Working Group on Canola, which meets regularly.

• On November 5, 2019, China re-opened its border to Canadian beef and pork. Canada is committed to working closely with industry and provinces to maintain and expand beef access to China.

Canola
In March 2019, China suspended canola seed shipments from two major Canadian exporters, Richardson and Viterra, and increased inspection of all Canadian canola seed exports to China, citing alleged discovery of pests.Canada's canola seed exports to China have since fallen by 69% As part of Canada's response, the Government created a working group comprised of industry and officials from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), GAC, the governments of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba to discuss opinions for regaining market access and market diversification which continues to meet fortnightly.

On September 9, 2019, Canada requested formal consultations at the WTO; these consultations took place on October 28, 2019. Canada is assessing information provided by China at the consultations to determine next steps.

Canada Beef and Pork Export to China
On June 25, 2019, China Customs (GACC) requested that the CFIA to suspend the issuance of pork and beef certificates following the discovery of a falsified certificate claiming Canadian origin a pork shipment of unknown origin. As a result of CFIA follow up action, GACC confirmed on November 5, 2019, that CFIA could resume issuing export certificates for exports of compliant pork and beef products to China from all eligible establishments, thus resolving the issue.

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