Statement by Minister Ng and Minister Bibeau on China’s removal of restrictions on Canadian canola exports 

May 18, 2022 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, and the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food today issued the following statement:

“Canada has been advised that China has reinstated access to its market for two Canadian companies that China Customs had suspended from exporting canola seed to China since March 2019.

We welcome this decision to remove the restrictions and immediately reinstate the two companies to allow them to export Canadian canola seeds.

We will continue to work with Canadian canola farmers, businesses, exporters, and their communities to defend their interests and support their success at home and in markets abroad, including China.

Canada will always firmly uphold the international rules-based trade system and related dispute settlement mechanisms, as well as a science-based approach to resolving such issues.”

Quick Facts

• The canola industry contributes almost $27 billion and 250,000 jobs to Canada’s economy.
• In 2018, Canada exported more than $11 billion worth of canola products to over 50 markets.
• In March 2019, China suspended two Canadian companies, alleging the detection of quarantine pests in canola shipments.
• Canada requested WTO consultations with China in September 2019.
• WTO members agreed to establish a panel in July 2021 for this case and the panel was composed in November 2021.

Associated links

• Statement on market access for Canada’s canola seed exports to China
• Statement by Minister Carr on Canada taking WTO action for canola industry