20141023

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2014

VOL. 92 | NO. 43 | $4.25

MIXED HERDS PARTNER UP | CAN SCARE OFF COYOTES? P86

SERVING WESTERN CANADIAN FARM FAMILIES SINCE 1923

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GRAIN | RESEARCH TRADE | DISPUTE

Wheat sees billion dollar investment

Canada warns U.S. to repeal COOL or face consequences

Seed companies have a renewed interest in wheat BY SEAN PRATT

WTO delivers ruling | U.S. amendments to country-of-origin labelling discriminate against live hog and cattle imports SASKATOON NEWSROOM

Canada is gearing up to retaliate against the United States after its third victory in the ongoing country-of-origin labelling dispute. “We will target everything from California wine to Minnesota mattresses, not to mention the over $2 billion in U.S. beef and pork sales to Canada,� said federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz. The World Trade Organiz a t i o n r u l e d t h a t U. S. amendments to the COOL regulation continue to discr iminate against live imports of cattle and hogs into the U.S. marketplace. COOL was implemented in 2008. On May 23, 2013, the U.S. revised the regulation in an attempt to come into compliance with the WTO. Canadian livestock and meat producers said the amendments only made matters worse and the WTO agreed. The third WTO victory for Canada paves the way for retaliation against the U.S., although that will not happen immediately. The U.S. has 30 days to appeal the decision, during which Canada will

be very vocal about how it intends to punish the U.S. for its transgressions. “We will use the same time frame to completely lay out, state-by-state, legislator-by-legislator, what it’s going to cost them as they move into their next election cycle,� Ritz told reporters. Canada has identified 32 products that could face retaliatory measures, but it can’t take action until the appeal process has run its course. “While we fully expect the Americans to appeal again, they must be fully aware that Canada will not blink on COOL,� said Ritz. Dave Solverson, president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, said COOL is costing the Canadian cattle and hog sectors an estimated $1.1 billion annually. “Until COOL comes into compliance with the WTO, the CCA will continue to insist that the Government of Canada prepare to impose prohibitively high tariffs on key U.S. exports to Canada, including beef,� he said. Solverson applauded Ritz and his colleagues in Ottawa for standing up to the Americans. “We’re very appreciative of the fact that you’re not about to blink,� he said. Jurgen Preugschas, past-chair of the Canadian Pork Council, said his industry has been fighting the punitive regulation at the WTO since 2009. SEE U.S. WARNED TO REPEAL COOL, P. 3

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NEW ORLEANS, La. — Investment now pouring into the wheat industry should deliver tangible results within a decade, says an agricultural economist. Bill Wilson, a professor at North Dakota State University, estimates seed technology companies will spend $2 billion over the next 10 years on wheat research. “We have more money being spent today on wheat technology than ever before,� he told the 2014 Oilseed & Grain Trade Summit. “That’s a golden opportunity for wheat in this country primarily, but in other countries as well.� Many seed technology companies have entered into partnerships with universities, government organizations and private companies to develop genetically modified wheat. SEE WHEAT, PAGE 2

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u|xhHEEJBy00001pzYv/:. OCTOBER 23, 2014 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Box 2500, Stn. Main, Saskatoon, SK. S7K 2C4 The Western Producer is published in Saskatoon by Western Producer Publications, which is owned by GVIC Communications Corp. Publisher: Shaun Jessome Publications Mail Agreement No. 40069240

BY SEAN PRATT

SASKATOON NEWSROOM


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