An Appeal Panel under the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) have upheld a decision made last year that opens the Quebec market to canola-based dairy alternatives and creates new opportunities for processing and marketing Canadian-grown canola.
The initial challenge was made by the Government of Saskatchewan in 2014 regarding Quebec’s Food Products Act. Saskatchewan challenged that the Act restricted the production, sale, and marketing of vegetable oil-based dairy alternatives in the province and contravened the country’s internal trade rules.
In March 2014, AIT ruled in favour of the Saskatchewan challenge, which was supported by the Governments of Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia. Quebec appealed the panel’s decision, and hearings were held in Regina on October 27, 2014. It was announced on February 25, 2015 that the initial ruling would be upheld.
Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) has been a firm supporter of this challenge. “We thank the Government of Saskatchewan for initiating this dispute and are pleased to see the ruling upheld,” says Rick White, CEO of CCGA. “Canola and other oilseed-based dairy alternatives have faced significant barriers to entering the Quebec market. Canola farmers believe eliminating these trade barriers, whether domestic or abroad, are key to our farms’ success.”
CCGA also acknowledges the leadership provided by the Vegetable Oil Industry Association (VOIC) in identifying this internal trade barrier and providing a strong rationale for presenting the case to the AIT. “VOIC has been a strong advocate for the entire Canadian vegetable oil industry, including the farmers who grow canola seeds that are crushed into Canada’s healthiest cooking oil,” says White.
Source: CCGA