Beijing Bans Canola From Second Canadian Firm

Beijing has banned imports from a second Canadian canola firm, its customs administration said on Tuesday, the latest escalation in a burgeoning row between the two countries.

Following the detection of harmful organisms in canola shipments from Viterra Inc, China's customs authority has decided to revoke the firm's company registration and suspend imports of its canola seeds, it said.

The ban comes less than a month after Beijing removed the export permit of major Canadian canola firm Richardson International, which was blocked following the discovery of "hazardous pests" in its shipments.

Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland decried the decision, and said that were "no scientific reasons for this action."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also weighed in, saying on Tuesday that his government is "taking very seriously the situation around canola" and would "continue to work with (China) to resolve this dispute."

Canada exported more than US$3.75 billion worth of canola last year, with almost half of going to China, according to industry figures.

Relations between Ottawa and Beijing have been thrown into crisis by the December arrest in Vancouver of Meng Wanzhou – the chief financial officer of telecoms giant Huawei – at the request of the United States.

Following Meng's arrest China detained former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor, in what observers see as retaliation. (AFP)