Canadian canola is facing a crisis and Saskatchewan’s farmers are at ground zero, says the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities.
The future of farmers’ livelihoods is at risk given the unresolved situation with China, says the organization.
“We’ve seen no action from the federal government,” says SARM President Ray Orb. “We’ve been to Ottawa, we’ve met with federal ministers, and still little is being done. We need to raise our voice on this issue and we are looking to Saskatchewan communities and residents to get involved.”
Canola’s contribution to the Canadian economy has more than tripled in the last ten years, and Saskatchewan is the largest exporter of canola in the country, says SARM. Access to the world market is critical to the success of Saskatchewan’s agriculture industry, SARM adds. A long-term ban will hurt Saskatchewan’s 23,000 canola farmers and negatively impact the provincial economy. This issue needs the immediate attention of our federal leaders, says SARM.
“SARM is encouraging rural municipalities, communities, associations, stakeholders and the general public to support this urgent issue,” explained Orb. “A letter writing campaign urging the federal government to take action is available at www.sarm.ca – we all need to stand together for Saskatchewan’s canola producers.”
