Ministers meet to find solutions to canola crisis

It’s a request Canadian canola farmers hope will help ease some of the uncertainty during an ongoing trade dispute with China.

Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit met with his federal counterpart Friday in Saskatoon to talk about possible solutions to the ban on Canadian canola.

The province is asking Ottawa to consider financial reassurances for farmers.

Specifically, the province is asking the federal government to increase the existing Advanced Payment Program ceiling from the current $400,000 to $1 million.

Marit said the province is hoping for an answer soon.

“They’re going to take it back (and) they’re going to evaluate it. So, we’re hoping that within the next few weeks we can hear a response,” Marit said.

The province also wants the full amount interest free until the trade dispute with China is resolved.

The province’s trade and export minister, Jeremy Harrison, and federal International Trade Diversification Minister Jim Carr also were involved in the meetings as work continues on finding a solution to the crisis.

“I really put the emphasis on finding a science-based solution. This is exactly what farmers and the industry is asking for as well because we believe it is the solution that would be the most sustainable,” said Bibeau.

There is also talk of having face-to-face meetings, but nothing has been formally set in place.

“We are having the conversation between the (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) and their counterparts and we have offered to send a delegation,” Bibeau said.