EDMONTON – There is a glimmer of hope that Canadian elk velvet antler’s most lucrative markets may someday reopen.
Peter Kuperis, branch head in Alberta Agriculture’s domestic and international trade policy division, bases his optimism on the slow reintroduction of beef into foreign markets following the discovery of BSE in Canada in 2003.
“With BSE, we’re slowly and surely negotiating our way back into markets,” he told elk producers at their annual general meeting.
He said elk producers can take comfort from that.
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They have been shut out of the lucrative South Korean market for elk velvet antler since the discovery of chronic wasting disease in farmed and wild cervids.
CWD and BSE are both prion diseases.
The Chinese government, also an important market, occasionally allows elk velvet antler into the country.
Kuperis said trade issues are handled at the national level, which means there is little provinces can do other than help with research and work with the federal government.
He said countries have two options when trying to work their way back into markets: negotiate a solution or go to court.
South Korea hasn’t been interested in negotiating a beef solution, he added, so Canada has started court proceedings.
Kuperis said discussions with China might be the wedge that gets Canadian products moving. The two countries have reached an agreement to allow boneless beef into China.
“China has said yes to beef. Trade should resume in some beef products and tallow this year.”
Allowing a product susceptible to a prion disease back into China could help in the importation of elk velvet antler, he said.
“That should be good news.… Mandatory surveillance of (farmed elk) in Alberta can show there is a low degree of risk products coming from herds. We have something we can talk to them about.”
Elk producers will likely have to wait until beef negotiations are settled with China before negotiators turn their attention to elk velvet antler.
Kuperis said the same approach could be used with reentering Korean markets.
Canada has challenged Korea’s beef ban at the World Trade Organization and officials hope for a ruling this month.
“There are news reports from Korea saying we’re close to a deal to allow beef into Korea. I think Korea has a strong incentive to settle out of court. Once Korea takes first step on BSE … they might be open to a conversation to elk velvet antler,” he said.
“I think it would be a harder sale, but it is worth a try.”
The other potential option is to take Korea to court at the World Trade Organization over CWD and elk velvet antler.
“This might be more of a possibility.”
Kuperis said Korea classifies elk velvet antler from its domestic herds as a food product and Canadian elk velvet antler as a medical product.
Both countries reported CWD around the same time in about the same numbers.
“Similar product from countries and herds with similar disease situations are receiving different treatment. Under the WTO, that’s not allowed unless there is a good scientific basis. It appears Korea is violating its WTO commitments, but I have to keep digging. There is a kernel of a possible WTO case.”
Kuperis said Canadian elk producers need to keep testing for CWD to prevent giving foreign governments a legitimate reason to keep the borders closed.
“We know there is extremely low level of risk from these animals. Mandatory program is a key tool for gaining market access. That’s the best tool you have.”
Identifying possible domestic partners in China and Korea who could put pressure on their governments is another way to help to reopen the borders, he said. “Internal pressure on foreign governments helps a lot in trade matters.”
