As growers begin the 2017 seeding season, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) wanted to provide an update to growers on market access to India, Canada’s largest market for pulses.
On May 3rd, India posted draft amendments to its Plant Quarantine Order regarding import requirements for several products, including pulses from Canada. SPG is encouraged by the positive steps towards the resolution of phytosanitary restrictions around Canadian pulse crops destined for India.
Pulse Canada has been working closely with Government of Canada, on the behalf of Saskatchewan pulse growers, to seek clarification on draft amendments to India’s import requirements for Canadian pulses. The document suggests that current concerns may be possible to resolve through India’s recognition and acceptance of Canada’s systems approach for dealing with phytosanitary concerns in Canadian pulse crops imported into India. The document suggests implementing the systems approach for a two-to-three year period, and during this time the Indian Government will monitor its effectiveness.
There are still some potential limitations to trade outlined in the draft document, including a continued fumigation requirement, with the proposed use of phosphine, which is subject to temperature limitations under Canadian labeling. Pulse Canada is working with the Government of Canada to ensure that the Indian Government is fully aware of these restrictions, and understands that Canada’s systems approach is designed to address all areas of concern that the Government of India has identified for Canadian pulse imports.
The strength of Canada’s systems approach is the many checks and balances in the Canadian value chain, as well as regulatory oversight, cold Canadian winters to minimize pests of risk to India, and, in the rare cases where quarantine pests are detected, thorough corrective actions.
As communicated in our March 30 message, Canadian access to India continues under the March 2017 fumigation derogation that allows access for shipments of pulses leaving Canada before June 30, 2017. India is Canada’s largest market for pulse crops, with Canadian exports to India accounting for more than $1.1 billion and more than 1.9 million tonnes last year.
Pulse Canada continues to work with and support the Government of Canada in reaching a long-term resolution in this key Canadian pulse export market. SPG is confident that market access for Canadian pulses to India will continue.
Source : SaskPulse