Chinese and Canadian government officials continue to work on re-establishing complete market access for Canadian canola into China.

Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced yesterday China has agreed to extend its interim commitment to give Canadian canola producers partial access.

In 2009, China suddenly banned Canadian canola seed due to the presence of the blackleg fungus. The ban was partially lifted to allow the 2009-10 canola crop to be delivered to a limited number of ports outside of China's rapeseed growing area. The transitional restrictions were extended last June to allow for the 2010-11 crop year, and as of yesterday, have again been extended for the 2011-12 crop.

~ Wednesday, July 27, 2011 ~