​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Canola is a trade powerhouse, exporting 90% of production with exports of seed, oil and meal reaching $9.3 billion in 2019. ​These exports keep farms successful and help ensure strong rural communities, employment and domestic value-added activities.

What is needed? Trade is vital to canola’s success, making it critical to keep existing markets open while diversifying and growing new ones. Strong, multilateral rules of trade are required to provide predictability in markets and a level playing field. Trade agreements that provide stable access are needed, as well as ongoing efforts to fix market access issues impacting both the sale of canola internationally and farmers’ access to crop protection products.

CCGA’s policy team is currently focused on the following:

China

China is one of the world’s largest markets for canola ​and full market access is key to long-term sustainability. China reinstated export licenses for Richardson and Viterra in May 2022 to export canola seed restoring their access and providing much-needed certainty when growing canola for a global market. Market access restrictions for canola seed were first implemented in March 2019 resulting in a decline in canola exports to China and eroding Canola’s competitiveness. See our May 2022 release: CCGA Statement on Removal of Restrictions for Canola Seed Exports to China. 

For more information about this evolving situation over the past three years, visit canolacouncil.org​.​

Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)

CUSMA entered into force July 2020​, building on and strengthening the 26-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). CUSMA recognizes the importance of an integrated North American agriculture market and provides much needed market certainty for farmers. In maintains duty free access for seed, oil and meal and advances trade of agriculture products enhanced through biotechnology and plant breeding innovation. It also provides various platforms for cooperation and alignment both in North America and internationally.

See our July 2020 press release: CUSMA Coming Into Force an Important Milestone for Canadian Canola Trade​.​​​

Modernization of the World Trade Organization (WTO)

The WTO framework underpins global trade. Its rules provide predictability for canola farmers and industry, certainty in markets, and more level playing fields. As a mid-size economy built on trade, Canada relies on a standard. Without it, exporters would face conflicting trade regimes, increasing risk and requiring significant resources to ensure compliance. Modernization of current functions would strengthen the WTO’s ability to align with and respond to the changing trade landscape and to counter increasing protectionism.

Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)

The CPTPP is serious business for canol​a farmers. Its implementation in 2018 was integral to the long-term viability of the Canadian canola sector. By eliminating tariffs in Japan and Vietnam, exports could grow by an additional one million tonnes per year. The elimination of non-tariff barriers will also create a more predictable export environment for farmers. CCGA is focused on its implementation, as well as promoting membership expansion to bolster its reach and create new opportunities for Canadian canola.

Comprehensive and Economic Tra​de Agreement (CETA) with the European Union

The EU is the world’s largest biodiesel market and has emerged as a top buyer of Canadian canola seed. While CETA has the potential to further open new opportunities for Canadian agriculture, more timely and predictable EU regulatory approval processes for crop inputs and biotech seed traits are required.

Market Access

Eliminating non-tariff barriers is a priority for canola’s continued success. These barriers result in lost profit and prevent growers from accessing new, innovative technologies.​

Biotechnology and plant breeding innovation: CCGA works to ensure unimpeded market access for products produced using biotechnology and PBI, including the promotion of science-based regulatory frameworks, synchronized approvals and the implementation of workable Low-Level Presence (LLP) solutions.

Crop Protection Products: Each market approves crop protection products and sets a maximum allowable level for pesticide residues (MRL). Not all countries approve and set these limits at the same time or same level, posing a trade risk for canola. CCGA is working with Canadian and international partners to find solutions bilaterally and multilaterally through Codex Alimentarius.

Keep It Clean!

We are in this together. To keep markets open, our practices at home must meet the regulatory requirements of our customer markets.​ Without the required approvals, shipments containing even the smallest level of unacceptable residues or de-registered varieties can be rejected. The ​K​eep It Clean program outlines steps to ensure our markets remain open and your canola is ready for export.​​​

Visit www.keepingitclean.ca​ for information on which pesticides and de-registered varieties to avoid.​

Partner Organizations

CCGA is an active member o​f the Canadian ​Agri-Food T​rade Alliance (CAFTA)​ – a coalition of national and regional organizations that advocate for a more open and fair international trading environment for agriculture and agri-food.

CCGA is also a member, and the current chair, of the International Agri-Food Trade Network (IAFN) – an international coalition of farmer and industry associations involved in agri-food at a global level. CCGA works with IAFN on issues related to Codex enhancements (Coalition for an Enhanced Codex​), FAO and the Committee of Food Security, and the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.