The Canola Council of Canada supports Ottawa’s push for a bilateral consultation at the W-T-O in a canola trade dispute with China.

Canada has requested a formal meeting with China at the World Trade Organization to resolve a Chinese ban on Canadian canola shipments.

Canola Council vice president Brian Innes says China is obligated to participate in the bilateral discussions.

He says the step is important to ensure trade is based on rules.

China has alleged inspectors found pests in some shipments of canola seeds, but the federal government says it has tried unsuccessfully to send a delegation of Canadian experts to China to examine the evidence.

He hopes the talks will help resolve the issue, but if not, a full dispute settlement can be put in place.

Meantime, SaskWheat is asking the federal government to take Italy to the world trade organization over country of origin labelling on Canadian durum exports.

Many analysts see both disputes as political in nature.