China justified in halting problem Canadian canola imports

It is well-founded for the Chinese government to suspend canola imports from Canada that have quarantine problems, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Wednesday.

Recently, China customs has repeatedly found a dangerous, hazardous organism in canola imported from Canada, and a Canadian company has severe quarantine problems with its outbound canola, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a daily news conference.

China has canceled Canadian agribusiness Richardson International Ltd's registration to ship canola to the country, Reuters quoted the company as saying on Tuesday.

Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Tuesday that she is "very concerned" and that she does not believe "there is any scientific basis for this".

China customs decided to suspend the import according to relevant laws and international practice, which is completely reasonable and legal, Lu said.

Canada is the world's largest canola producer, as well as the top exporter of canola and rapeseed oil.

Lu noted that Canada must be aware that once the pests were imported, it will pose a serious threat to agricultural production and ecological security.

The Chinese government needs to ensure the health and safety of its people, he added.