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 seem to me to be quite positive on it anyhow, and that hopefully that's the way it will work," commented MacAulay. "It certainly looks like they need the pulses and we have them, and they like what we have, and if we can pull all that together this should work out well 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.