The Canadian canola industry is being cautioned not to overreact in its response to China’s blackleg import restrictions.
Hitting back or protesting too violently would only complicate the situation, says the Canada China Business Council (CCBC).
“Our significant experience with China is that playing hardball with China doesn’t work,” said CCBC director of public affairs Victor Hayes.
“They get defensive.”
Instead, the Canadian industry should continue with what it’s doing – working diligently on many levels to convince the Chinese to drop their ban on Canadian canola at most Chinese ports.
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“Keep the consistent message in front of the Chinese that this is not a good decision, that it’s in nobody’s best interest,” said Hayes, whose organization promotes trade between China and Canada.
Canadian canola shipments to China have essentially been halted by China’s demand that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency certify all canola shipments to most Chinese ports as blackleg free.
Many in the canola trade believe the move is a nontariff barrier to keep foreign canola out of China’s crushing system until its domestic rapeseed crop has cleared.
Chinese officials have said their concern is based on Canada and Australia having forms of blackleg that are more virulent than domestic Chinese strains.
Hayes said Canadian officials and industry representatives have to accept the Chinese claims but also resolutely argue against the Chinese actions.
“From our experience, for something with the dimensions of this agrifood problem, it works best when somebody from the Canadian side keeps the dialogue open with the Chinese side, continues to press the case with facts and figures.”
He said it also makes sense to ask other industries and businesses to raise the issue with their Chinese counterparts so that it stays politically current. A multi-pronged approach has helped a Quebec-based hotel chain come close to a resolution of a dispute in China, he said.
