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< PreviousPREPARING FOR THE CUSMA REVIEW As we embark on a new chapter of Canada-U.S.-Mexico relations, the CCC is working to ensure that government officials and other stakeholders have a full understanding of the potential impacts on our industry. In a pre-budget submission to the federal government, we voiced strong support for a robust engagement strategy in advance of changing administrations and the forthcoming review of the Canada-United States-Mexico (CUSMA) agreement. With the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA), we also made a joint submission to Global Affairs Canada, highlighting the importance of the U.S. and Mexico markets to the Canadian canola industry, positive elements of the current Agreement and risks connected to the review. In addition, we engaged with provincial and state legislators from Canada, Mexico and the U.S. in various ways, including participation in the Tri-National Accord in Virginia, where the CCC advanced key advocacy topics including the CUSMA review and biofuels policy. CANOLA COUNCIL OF CANADA | 2024 ANNUAL REPORT 10 RESILIENCE RELATIONSHIPS IN ROOTED In a year of volatile geopolitics and supply chain issues, we worked to address short-term setbacks without losing sight of long-term goals. We continued to forge strong, trusted relationships that will help sustain markets and industry success into the future. STABLE AND OPEN TRADE PRIORITY:ADDRESSING THE NEED FOR SUPPLY CHAIN RELIABILITY Canada’s agri-food supply chain was a top concern throughout 2024, as labour disruptions halted operations at Canada’s two Class 1 railways and the country’s largest port. The CCC joined forces with agri-food partners to mobilize industry and engage with the federal government, raising awareness of the severe consequences these work stoppages would create for farmers, exporters, processors, Canadian consumers and customers around the world. As railway tensions escalated in August, the #StopTheStrike campaign was launched. It was followed by the #StopTheLockout campaign in November, when a lockout took place at the Port of Vancouver. Both campaigns drove traffic to stopthestrike.ca, where visitors were encouraged to write to federal officials to take the necessary steps to end these labour disruptions. Ultimately, service interruptions were brief with binding arbitration imposed within days. However, even short disruptions to service can generate significant negative impacts. These unresolved issues underline the need for long-term solutions that will protect Canada’s reputation as a dependable agri-food exporter. PARTICIPATING IN CHINA’S ANTI-DUMPING INVESTIGATION In September, China announced an anti-dumping investigation into Canadian canola seed imports. As a registered party to the investigation, the CCC has been actively involved and working in collaboration with government and industry stakeholders across the canola industry. We are confident that Canada’s canola trade aligns with international rules-based trade and are focused on supporting fair and competitive access to this important market. 11 ROOTED IN RESILIENCE The CCC partnered with other industry organizations to support the Stop the Strike campaign.WORKING TO SECURE ACCESS TO BIOFUELS MARKETS In spring of 2024, the European Commission recognized and published the CCC-commissioned report on greenhouse gas emissions associated with Canadian canola production for use in biofuels. This recognition supports competitive access of Canadian canola to the EU biofuels market under the EU Renewable Energy Directive (EU RED) until 2029. In September, the CCC worked to advance biofuels and other issues of interest through meetings with European Commission departmental staff involved in agriculture, health, energy and trade. Topics covered included the EU approach to gene editing, maximum residue limits and the potential application of ‘mirror clauses’ to EU imports. Attendees at the USCA’s November board meeting. SUPPORTING SIMPLIFIED ACCESS TO DOMESTIC BIOFUEL OPPORTUNITIES The CCC and industry partners also joined forces to help maximize the benefits from Canada’s biofuels regulatory framework for participating growers and biofuel processors. Early in the year, we collaborated across the sector on industry guidance to help streamline declaration and traceability requirements for market participation under these regulations. In partnership with COPA, CCGA and provincial grower groups, we also hosted a webinar regarding opportunities the Canadian biofuels market presents for farmers. Ailish Campbell, Canadian Ambassador to the European Union, with CCC president & CEO Chris Davison. Left to right: Chris Vervaet, COPA; Chris Davison, CCC; RJ Sigurdson, Alberta Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation; Karla Bergstrom, Alberta Canola; and Troy Sherman, CCC at the Alberta Legislative Building. In partnership with the Canadian Oilseed Processors Association (COPA), the CCC also worked to raise awareness of and support for a strong domestic biofuels market. In meetings with officials, engagement highlighted risks and opportunities for the canola industry and the entire economy associated with this policy-driven market. Looking ahead, an important task is to strengthen opportunities for canola in the U.S. biofuels market, where the impact of the 2024 election on federal low-carbon fuel regulations is not, at the time of writing, yet known. We remain focused on advocating for policies that enable fair treatment of canola oil as a biofuel feedstock. In 2024, this work included meetings with officials at the U.S. Treasury Department to outline key policy considerations for the Canadian canola industry as it develops rules and eligibility for the 45Z tax credit. Working with other stakeholders, we continued to engage with state-level regulators, led by California, where they are looking to cap the use of biofuels made from canola and soybean oil feedstocks. We also undertook technical work aimed at clarifying canola’s carbon intensity score under the new U.S. biofuel tax credits set to take effect in 2025. The U.S. Canola Association (USCA) is an important collaborator as we navigate these and other issues. In 2024, the CCC participated in the USCA’s fall and spring board meetings as we continued to work together to advance biofuel policies and other areas of mutual interest. CANOLA COUNCIL OF CANADA | 2024 ANNUAL REPORT 12FOSTERING RELATIONSHIPS IN OTTAWA In November, the boards of the CCC and CCGA were in Ottawa for a joint lobby day, which this year included close to 40 meetings with federal parliamentarians, senior officials and political staff. This year’s advocacy priorities included international trade and markets, transportation and Bill C-234. From left to right: Lobby day meeting with Kris Grant, CCC board member with Parrish & Heimbecker; Senator Peter Harder; Christine McKee, Alberta Canola and CCGA board member; and Ed Schafer, CCC and SaskOilseeds board member. From left to right: Rick White, CCGA president & CEO; Roger Chevraux, CCGA and Alberta Canola board chair; the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food; and Chris Davison, CCC president & CEO at the post-lobby day parliamentary reception. PURSUING FORWARD-LOOKING POLICIES TO SUPPORT LONG-TERM SUCCESS Throughout the year, the CCC continued to advise and advocate on a wide range of issues affecting trade and Canadian canola’s competitiveness. • In February, we joined Canadian negotiators at the World Trade Organization’s 13 th Ministerial Conference (MC13), where agri-trade discussions focused on dispute settlement, trade liberalization and principles for sustainable trade. • In May 2024, the CCC was pleased to see the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) release new guidance on livestock feed, clearing the final hurdle to establishing a regulatory pathway for gene-edited crops. After years of advocacy in partnership with other stakeholders, CFIA’s actions signaled a positive future for new plant breeding technologies that can further improve the resilience and potential of Canadian canola. • We voiced our views and advanced industry-favourable positions on other domestic issues affecting the canola’s ability to thrive, including policies on crop protection and extended interswitching, and Canada’s study on carbon border adjustments. MEETING EXPORT REQUIREMENTS Canada’s reputation as a trusted supplier of high-quality canola is one reason we are the world’s leading canola exporter. We help maintain this position by providing growers and crop advisers with resources for on-farm practices that ensure crops meet standards set by importing countries. Every year, we update growers with tips to avoid unacceptable product residues and potential market risks through our Keep it Clean program, presented in partnership with Cereals Canada and Pulse Canada. Webinars, staging guides and other resources can be found at KeepItClean.ca. 13 ROOTED IN RESILIENCECANOLA COUNCIL OF CANADA | 2024 ANNUAL REPORT 14 DIFFERENTIATED VALUE PRIORITY: In North America and beyond, Canadian canola is valued for its unique advantages. In 2024, we shared science-backed evidence and information regarding canola’s contributions to healthy diets and livestock productivity. RESILIENCE OUTREACH IN ROOTED CONNECTING WITH KEY MARKETS Japan: More than 20 oilseed processors, importers and government officials traveled from Japan to Winnipeg in July as part of the 48 th bilateral pre-consultation, aimed at maintaining strong relationships between the Canadian canola value chain and our longest-standing export market. This event included a farm tour to see leading-edge canola production methods, and a stop at EMILI’s Innovation Farms for demonstrations of digital agriculture in action and research on in-field measurement of nitrous oxide emissions and 4R nutrient stewardship. Later in the year, a Canadian delegation led by the CCC’s exporter members travelled to Japan for the main consultation meeting. Discussion topics included Canadian canola’s supply/demand outlook, production, quality and supply chain resiliency, as well as market trends in Japan and implications for canola and vegetable oil use and supply moving forward. Indo-Pacific: The Indo-Pacific region represents additional opportunities to grow and diversify exports, particularly for canola meal. From February to March, the CCC’s canola meal representative travelled to Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand to continue building understanding of Canadian canola’s advantages as a feed ingredient. Meetings were held with academics, companies and feed industry organizations, including the Philippine Feed Millers Association, CP Indonesia, Vina Milk and the Thai Society of Animal Nutritionists. In December, the CCC also took part in a Team Canada Trade Mission to Indonesia and the Philippines. As part of this mission, the new Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement was concluded, with the final text incorporating input from the canola industry. While in Jakarta and Manila, the CCC met with importers as well as feed, miller and animal nutrition associations to promote canola meal as part of feed rations for dairy, aquaculture, swine and poultry. Delegates on tour during the annual Canada-Japan canola pre-consultation. CCC meeting with FKS Group, a leading food and feed ingredient supplier in Indonesia. At the China Dairy Exhibition, the Canada pavilion was used to engage with customers and other industry stakeholder and highlight canola meal’s proven ability to increase milk production and reduce enteric methane emissions in dairy herds. The Canolamazing.com website features the 2024 Canola Meal Feeding Guide, research papers and an up-to-date canola meal nutrient profile. CanolaInfo’s booth at the Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE) in Minneapolis, the world’s largest meeting of food and nutrition experts. 15 ROOTED IN RESILIENCE REINFORCING THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF CANOLA OIL Through the CanolaInfo program in Mexico and the U.S., the CCC engages with credible experts in food and diet to provide technical information on canola oil’s health and versatility, and resources to address misinformation that circulates on social media. Digital ads and social media posts drove traffic to science-backed information about canola on CanolaInfo.org. The team also participated in food and nutrition events hosted by respected organizations like the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and Mexico’s National Nutrition School Association. An important resource provided to health professionals in 2024 was a new scientific paper addressing common misconceptions about seed oils, including canola oil. The paper, supported by the CCC and other commodity groups, was published in the British Journal of Nutrition in October 2024. China: Canadian canola meal was showcased at the China Feed Expo in April as well as the China Dairy Exhibition and Conference in July, followed by meetings with dairy companies, meal importers, feed manufacturers and researchers. In December, the CCC was in China again to meet with government and industry representatives to advance the industry’s interests as the anti-dumping investigation progressed and to continue promoting canola meal. North America: We continued our work in support of canola meal in both Canada and the U.S., including through significant media outreach. In addition to radio interviews, articles on canola meal’s nutritional value for dairy production were featured in popular industry publications including Feedstuffs, Dairy Business, Hoard’s Dairyman and Milk Producer magazine. REFRESHED RESOURCES PROMOTING CANOLA MEAL In 2024, both the Canolamazing.com website and the Canola Meal Feeding Guide underwent significant revisions and updates to incorporate the latest research findings on canola meal advantages for dairy, beef, swine, poultry and aquaculture diets. The Canola Meal Feeding Guide is now available in English, Mandarin, Spanish and Vietnamese, to be used in canola promotion activities across target markets.INNOVATIVE. SUSTAINABLE. RESILIENT. Creating superior value for a healthier world. 400-167 Lombard Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 0T6 Tel 204 982 2100 Toll Free 866 834 4378 CANOLACOUNCIL.ORGNext >