Canola Council Launches Revitalized Market Access Strategy

The Canola Council of Canada (CCC) is launching its revitalized market access plan, in conjunction with the second anniversary of restrictions facing seed exports to China.

 

The updated plan reflects the consensus of the canola value chain on how market access challenges are evolving, the priorities of the sector and how industry will work with government to create more stable and open trade.

 

“Our revitalized market access strategy is important because it allows us to focus attention on how we can create more stable and open trade for the entire canola value chain,” said CCC President Jim Everson. “We’ve seen the real impact that market blockages and increased risk can have, and we’re excited to have a new road map to tackle these challenges.”

 

Ongoing market access restrictions for canola seed to China continue to have a significant impact on the industry since they were first implemented on March 6, 2019. Seed exports to China have fallen from $2.8 billion in 2018 before the restrictions, to $800 million in 2019 and $1.4 billion in 2020. Expert analysis estimates this has cost the industry between $1.54 and $2.35 billion from lost sales and lower prices between March 2019 and August 2020.

 

“Our industry is seeing market access become more complex because of diverging international and domestic regulations on measures related to plant, animal and human health,” commented Everson. “We continue to see barriers that prevent us from adopting new innovation and technology, as well as an ongoing need for vigilance on sustainability requirements for biofuel markets.”

 

Within the plan, there are four main focus areas:

- Eliminate tariffs and tariff differentials to expand markets and create more stability;

- Create a predictable trading environment through science-based sanitary and phytosanitary rules;

- Enable technology advancements and access to innovation and technology; and

- Enable market growth, increased value and trade diversification through biofuel and sustainability approvals.

 

The CCC is also asking the Government of Canada to create an Asian Diversification Office.