Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I thank all the members of the committee for your focus on this very important issue and for calling us here today to address your questions.
There is nothing more Canadian than canola.
It is a symbol of Canada's scientific achievement and agricultural innovation. The success of Canadian canola is a source of great pride.
Canola is a stable rotation crop for many farmers and contributes almost $27 billion a year to the Canadian economy, a contribution that has tripled over the last 10 years. Our producers create a top-quality product and the science and inspection system that supports our exports is world class.
Our government knows that strong markets for our high-quality Canadian canola mean more money in the pockets of our farmers and good middle-class jobs for Canadians.
As you know, China suspended the licences of two Canadian canola seed exporters. It is also subjecting all Canadian canola seed to more stringent inspection. We want to reaffirm our support for producers and make clear that we are doing everything we can to resolve this issue, in conjunction with our partners and industry stakeholders.
As mentioned by the Prime Minister last week, Canada is prepared to send a high-level technical delegation to China.
I have recently sent a letter to my Chinese counterpart requesting to send a delegation led by the president of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, along with her team of plant health experts and the support of technical experts from the prairie provinces.
In the meantime, experts from both countries continue to share information, and the talks are ongoing. Just 10 days after my appointment as Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, I travelled to Alberta, Manitoba and British Columbia. Here, in Ottawa, and out west, I have already met with dozens of industry representatives, producers and processors.
Last Friday, with Minister Carr, we were in Saskatchewan to meet with our provincial counterparts and agricultural leaders.
Strong collaboration and ongoing dialogue between industry and governments is vitally important. That is why we have set up a working group that includes the Canola Council, the Canola Growers Association, Richardson, Viterra, and representatives of the federal government and the Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan governments.
The working group will ensure a coordinated and collaborative approach towards resolving this canola market access issue in China. The group will also explore alternative markets for both the short and long term.
On top of that, we know that Canada's canola farmers have concerns about seeding, storage, prices and cash flow. We understand that.
We are continuing to explore the full suite of existing risk management tools and support mechanisms to help the industry and farmers as much as possible.
Mr. Chair, Canada has a world-class canola industry. Our government will continue to work together with partners and stakeholders to find a science-based solution to the current issues the industry is facing.
We will continue to stand firmly behind farmers.