Canada requests WTO panel review of China’s canola seed measures

China imposed suspensions and enhanced import procedures on Canadian canola seed exporters

Canada submitted its first request for the establishment of a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute panel to examine two sets of measures affecting the importation into China of canola seed from Canada: measures suspending the importation of canola seed from two Canadian companies; and measures applying enhanced inspections to canola seed imports from other Canadian companies.

Canada requested consultations with China on the matter in September 2019; The consultations took place on October 28, 2019 but failed to settle the dispute.

Canada says China alleges repeated detection of quarantine pests in shipments from the two Canadian companies as the basis for the suspensions. It notes that Canada is the only country that has seen the imposition of suspensions and enhanced import procedures for canola seed on its exporters.