By Canadian Press

Federal cabinet ministers Bibeau, Carr to testify on canola feud with China

Apr 2, 2019 | 12:08 PM

OTTAWA — The federal trade and agriculture ministers will face questioning Tuesday afternoon from MPs about the government’s handling of Canada’s canola feud with China.

Citing pest concerns, China has suspended licences for two Canadian canola companies and increased its inspections of canola-seed shipments from Canada.

China’s decision to halt canola shipments has been widely viewed as retribution for Canada’s December arrest of Huawei senior executive Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver at the behest of the United States.

Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and International Trade Minister Jim Carr will testify on the dispute before a House of Commons committee.

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The federal government has insisted it wants to find a scientific solution to the dispute and Bibeau says she sent a letter to her Chinese counterpart with a request to send a delegation of experts to China.

The Asian country imported $2.7 billion worth of Canadian canola seed last year, making it Canada’s top market and ensuring that any extended feud would be felt by farmers, the industry and the broader economy.

Bibeau also says she’s examining options to support farmers through the possible expansion of existing programs.

The Canadian Press