Friday’s federal government announcement seeking Canadian’s views on a free trade agreement with China is being welcomed by the canola industry.

An independent analysis commissioned by the Canola Council of Canada says that a free trade agreement with China could create 33,000 additional jobs in Canada from increased exports of canola alone.

“Freer trade with China would mean a lot more jobs and growth from Canadian canola,” says Brian Innes, vice president, government relations with the Canola Council. “In these uncertain times for global trade, Canadians should be very encouraged by the opportunity for a more stable and open trading relationship with China.”

The study found that eliminating China’s tariffs on Canadian canola could increase exports of seed, oil and meal by up to $1.2 billion per year.

That would be the equivalent of 1.8 million tonnes of canola or about 10% of Canada’s current annual canola production.

“There’s tremendous growth potential for canola exports to China,” says Innes. “Getting rid of tariffs would make canola more competitive with other oilseeds and have a global impact on the value of canola.”

After the United States, China is the largest export market for canola and canola products worth $2.7 billion in 2016. China imported 4.8 million tonnes of Canadian canola in 2016.