Agriculture ministers discuss tariffs, business risk management and wildfires at their annual conference

Federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) agriculture ministers wrapped up two days of meetings in Winnipeg, Man. where trade issues dominated discussions.

There were visits to a grain farm and a dairy operation to get producers’ views on various trade situations, such as Chinese canola tariffs and US pressure to change Canada’s supply management system.

The ministers held a wrap up news conference this morning at the conclusion of the event.

As expected, the first question dealt with Chinese canola tariffs. Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald was asked if he had any information on what was happening with the Premier Scott Moe led trade mission in China this week.

“We haven’t been debriefed as of today, obviously, but Premier Scott Moe and the parliamentary secretary to the Prime Minister are there meeting with officials and part of the process is reestablishing those ties and those friendships front and center with the Chinese government and a big part of that,” MacDonald said.

As producers are in the process of combining the 2025 canola crop there is a lot of concern surrounding whether there will be a market for the seed. MacDonald said there have been some announcements in the past week by the Prime Minister relevant to support. But first and foremost, he understands opening that market is the main concern.

“It’s number one among producers and that’s what we’re going to work towards. And look, we’re going to do it and take this day by day. It’s a very fragile situation that we find ourselves in with the Chinese,” he said. “But having Premier Moe in China and officials engaging at the highest level is important to get this resolved as quickly as possible.”