A local MP played a role in extending China's deadline for non-tariff trade barriers to be imposed on Canadian canola. Candice Bergen recently visited the Chinese government, along with former Ag Minister Gerry Ritz, to call on Chinese officials to hold off on prohibiting the importation of Canadian canola, in response to concerns over blackleg disease.

"There were concerns they had regarding the possible transmission of blackleg disease. However, the Canola Council of Canada says there's no significant risk of spreading that disease to foreign material. The Canola Council needs a little bit more time, and they need to work a little bit harder to show Chinese officials that risk is mitigated, and there's not a risk in China."

Their efforts were successful, with the government pushing the deadline to September 1st, from April 1st. Bergen says in the meantime, the Canola Council will need to demonstrate the mitigated risk to Chinese officials.

"Canola producers have the science, and I think what they need to do is meet with their counter-parts in China. I think the Chinese will come over here, and we can improve the quality of our Canola seed to alleviate the concerns the Chinese have. I know that's what they need to do."

She says Ritz is well aware of the issue, and was able to demonstrate that as he met with the officials. Bergen says they're grateful for the extended deadline, and hope the Chinese government takes the science into consideration leading up to the September deadline.