Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Farmers seek to battle trade barriers with science

PRAIRIE farmers need a science-based mechanism to mediate against bogus environmental trade barriers, farm leaders said Friday.

The European Union, China and the United States all are blocking trade of an agricultural product on "quasi-technical" basis, said Ian Wishart, Keystone Agricultural Producers president. A new system might introduce a time period in which scientific arguments are considered before trade actions are launched.

Wishart met heads of general farm organizations from Saskatchewan and Alberta in Winnipeg on Friday. A united front on issues holds a lot more sway with Ottawa, Wishart said.

The European Union is demanding an almost impossible level of extra testing against some stray genetically modified material found in some Canadian flax crops. Flax prices have dropped to $8-9 a bushel from $12-13, as a result.

China is refusing to accept Prairie canola because it claims it could contain a rare fungus. Wishart says scientists say the fungus is found around the world.

The United States claims Canadian canola meal destined for livestock feed is too high in salmonella.

Other key issues the three farm leaders agreed on include:

-- The farm leaders want Ottawa to stop the railways from ripping out 53 rail sidings this year.

-- Ottawa should put in stronger policy to protect farmers when grain companies go under.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition April 10, 2010 B11

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