China has placed another ban on Canadian Canola. 

Earlier this month Richardson International's exports were banned. Today, Viterra, a Regina-based company, has had its exports halted, too. Chinese officials are claiming inspectors found pests in the company's canola. Bill Campbell is the President of Keystone Agricultural Producers and he stresses this, again, has farmers in our province very worried.

Campbell notes China takes in 40 per cent of the canola produced in Canada. Seeding is only 30-45 days out, and Campbell explains this recent suspension has fostered further nervousness in the Ag community.

"Canola has been a cash crop and has paid the bills in this province," says Campbell. "We have utilized canola to help sustain our farms and build our equity, and to ensure we farm for another year."

Campbell insists shipments need to resume and this needs to be resolved. Some farmers have seeding intentions set, and those who don't, who are fortunate, however, are left wondering what to do for this year's crops. Campbell explains that anytime trade enters into seeding intentions, things are not good.

Campbell stresses something science-based needs to be done to get to the bottom of this. He points out fear is growing that this situation may spread to other commodities. Campbell is calling for certainty. Farmers need to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. He adds, with this trade suspensions, it is the farmer that is bearing the brunt of the financial hardship.