Canadian govt supports canola sector's strategic vision

Canadian Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz recently expressed the Government’s support for the Canola Council of Canada’s new strategy to expand production and grow markets. Earlier this support, the Council announced its goal to increase canola production in Canada to meet 26 million metric tonnes of global demand and boost yield to an average of 52 bushels/acre, by 2025.

The Minister pointed to the Government’s consistent support to the sector through various programs focussed on developing new markets, improving agronomic information and bolstering canola’s health claims through research and innovation. The Government's focus remains providing industry with the tools they need to build a profitable farm gate.

Quick facts

• The $15-million canola research cluster (2013-18) is an industry-led collaboration that will drive research into canola’s health benefits, new uses in animal feed diets, and new tools for producers to fight pests and disease, under Growing Forward 2 (GF2).
• Under the Agricultural Flexibility Fund, investments of $7.8 million were made to the Canola Market Access Plan 2015 and $1.7 million to the Grow Canola 2.015 Project. Benefits of the Canola Market Access Plan included helping to regain access to the $1.9 billion canola seed market in China.
• The federal Government is also helping the canola industry expand into new markets by supporting its ongoing, long-term global strategy, while continuing to push for science-based market access with Canada’s key customers.
• Canada’s historic agreement in principle on the Canada-EU trade agreement will eliminate tariffs on canola oil and ensure duty-free access for canola and canola products to Europe, a key priority market. The Canola Council of Canada estimates that this will provide the opportunity for exporters to increase sales by up to $90 million per year.
• Canola is a major driver of jobs and growth in Canada. In 2012, canola was the top crop for farm cash receipts and exports, accounting for almost a fifth of total agriculture and food exports -- $8.6 billion in seed and oil sales to key markets including Japan, the U.S., Mexico and China.