The Canadian pulse industry could be the big winner as a result of federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz’s latest trade promotion trip.In a telephone news conference held today from New Delhi, India, Ritz said he and Indian agriculture minister Sharad Pawar agreed that India will make it possible for Canadian pulse shipments to be fumigated at Indian ports.It has been an issue for the Canadian pulse export industry because without fumigation after the long ocean voyage to India, some shipments can be turned away or held while the shipment is inspected for infestation.Ritz said the agreement would reduce “uncertainty, significant delays and costs to Canadian farmers.”Pulse Canada chief executive officer Gordon Bacon agreed.”Having ministers agree on a process is a huge step forward in finding suitable plant protection policies that ensure trade is not jeopardized by policies that create uncertainty,” he said in a statement from India while accompanying Ritz on the trade mission.Last year, pulse exports from Canada to India were worth $533 million, and industry officials say there is potential for significant increases in trade as the Indian population swells.During an earlier trip to Turkey this week, Ritz announced an agreement with the Turkish government to begin discussions in October about launching Canada-Turkey free trade talks.Bacon said a free trade deal would create significant new opportunities in a country that buys $100 million worth of Canadian pulse crops each year, compared to $20 million in sales in 2006. However, Canadian shipments still are subject to import duties and access uncertainty.Ritz began his weeklong trade trip this week in Rome, where he met with European politicians and representatives of international food agencies. Ritz said he argued in those meetings that trade and feeding the world require agreements that allow for the presence of low-level presence of genetically modified material in food and feed, even in countries that oppose GMOs.
Canada, India reach fumigation agreement
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