China Doubles Down
The Chinese embassy is doubling-down on Beijing’s decision to revoke export permits for canola
By Kelsey Johnson and Charlie Pinkerton – ipolitics.ca
The country’s customs agency says it notified the Canadian government about quarantined pest samples in Canadian grain shipments on Jan. 4, March 1, March 15 and March 26. “It is the bound duty of the Chinese government to protect the safety and interests of Chinese consumers as well as China’s agricultural production and ecological security. Quarantine measures taken by China’s customs are normal and for safety precaution,” a statement on the embassy’s website reads.
“The Trudeau government has offered to send senior agriculture bureaucrats to reassure the Chinese government “face-to-face” about Beijing’s concerns regarding Canadian canola exports”
“They are legitimate, reasonable and in compliance with Chinese laws and regulations as well as international practices. The Chinese side stands ready to communicate with the Canadian side on technical matters.” The South China Morning Post reports.
On Friday, Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau told iPolitics the Trudeau government has offered to send senior agriculture bureaucrats to reassure the Chinese government “face-to-face” about Beijing’s concerns regarding Canadian canola exports — but the Chinese government has yet to issue visas, the federal agriculture minister says. “We have offered to do that, but obviously we need visas to send them over there, so we have to continue the conversations with the Chinese officials,” she said when reached outside of a canola crush plant. Kelsey Johnson has more.
Bibeau and International Trade Minister Jim Carr were in Saskatoon on Friday for meetings with industry and provincial government officials. The ministers are scheduled to hold a press conference in the House of Commons foyer after question period Monday afternoon.
Bibeau and Carr will both attend an emergency meeting of the House international trade committee on Tuesday to discuss the canola-trade situation with China. The ministers will be joined by officials from Agriculture Canada, Global Affairs Canada and CFIA.
Source: the Sprout – iPolitics.ca
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