Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay says negotiations are continuing with India on finding a long-term, science-based solution to India’s call to have pulses fumigated prior to their arrival.

In the meantime, India had issued a 3-month waiver for Canada regarding pest fumigation.

MacAulay says they are working with Pulse Canada Chair Lee Moats and their CEO Gordon Bacon on the issue with India in looking for a long-term science-based solution:

"They said to me they were quite positive about it anyhow and hopefully that's the way it will work," MacAulay said. "It certainly looks like they need the pulses, we have them, they like what we have and if we can put all of that together, this should work out for all."

International Trade critic Gerry Ritz and Agriculture critic David Anderson are asking how Canadians can be expected to trust the government to negotiate a beneficial free-trade agreement when they can't secure long-term access for Canadian pulse exporters to the Indian market.

MacAulay notes this has been an ongoing issue with India for some time, adding he’s only been minister for a little over a year.