Portage la Prairie MLA Jeff Bereza is calling on Premier Wab Kinew’s NDP government to take immediate steps to protect Manitoba farmers facing steep new trade barriers in China. Article content

China has imposed a 75.8 percent tariff on Canadian canola seed exports, a move that threatens a crop worth billions to Manitoba’s economy. Canola represents about a quarter of farm cash receipts in the province, valued at $2.4 billion, and supports more than 35,000 jobs. More than 12,000 square kilometres of farmland in Manitoba are seeded with canola each year.

“If this government believes the economic horse pulls the social cart, then it cannot ignore the industry that brings in billions to Manitoba,” Bereza said. “Farmers don’t need sympathy. They need leadership and solutions.”

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