A recent ruling now allows Sask-atchewan oilseed producers and processors to sell their products in Quebec.
After a long battle, an appeal panel has upheld the Saskatchewan’s government’s successful challenge of the Quebec government’s restrictions against the production, sale and marketing of vegetable oil-based dairy products.
Saskatchewan launched the trade in 2014.
The final ruling prevents Quebec from using labelling laws to prohibit the use of “milk”, “butter” and “cheese” for dairy substitute products.
Saskatchewan agriculture minister Lyle Stewart said in a statement that it was a critical step in ensuring that the province’s products move freely to consumers within Canada.
Read Also
Key actions identified to address canola tariffs
Federal and Saskatchewan governments discuss next steps with industry on Chinese tariffs
“We’re delighted with this ruling that creates a nationwide market for a wide range of innovative canola and soybean oil-based alternatives to traditional dairy products,” said Sean McPhee, president of the Vegetable Oil Industry of Canada.
Prairie-grown canola and soybeans can now be used in margarine, coffee whitener and dessert toppings sold in Quebec.
Quebec governments have protected the province’s influential dairy industry from outside competition for decades.
Quebec had appealed the original ruling, but it also made changes to its Food Products Act in December by removing barriers to the production and sale of vegetable-based oil products.
“This is a victory for the internal trade process in Canada, and with this latest ruling, we’re confident Quebec will do the right thing and bring its labelling and marketing rules for dairy substitutes in line with the rest of Canada,” said Jeremy Harrison, the Saskatchewan minister responsible for trade.
