OTTAWA - Canada has secured an extension of an agreement to allow canola producers to continue exporting their 2010 crops to China.
In the fall of 2009, China slapped restrictions on imports of Canadian canola because of a fungus disease called blackleg.
At the time, Canada negotiated a temporary import deal for the 2009 crop year and today's announcement extends that for the 2010 crop.
Canola is one of Canada's most valuable exports to China.
In 2008-2009, China imported nearly three-million tonnes of canola seed worth about $1.3 billion.
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said in a statement that the agreement is good news for canola producers who depend on the Chinese market.
He added there is "still a lot of work left to do before canola trade with China is fully normalized."
"Today's agreement is securing the conditions to export the 2010 crop year, and we will continue to find a long-term solution to this issue."
