Beef Industry Keeps Close Watch On China Tensions

The Canadian Cattlemen's Association is keeping a close eye on trade tensions with China.

Executive Vice-President, Dennis Laycraft, says they haven't received any signals Canadian beef will be dragged into the canola dilemma with China.

Laycraft says they have good relationships with Chinese importers.

"We're obviously watching it closely. We're not a huge exporter, we're in the $100 million range where some of the other products are in the billions like canola."

He says the industry just had a pilot project to export chilled beef to China and they're gearing up to have beef of all ages eligible to ship to China.

"Those things get delayed when you have the tension that exists right now between China and Canada," he said. "Our objective is to maintain as positive of a dialogue as we can in the meantime."

Laycraft says they look forward to continued discussion with China once the issue is resolved, as China is the fastest growing beef market in the world.