Two Canadian livestock genetic companies are seeing delays in getting their export licenses to China renewed.

Semex is based in Guelph, Ontario, and the other company closer to home is Alta Genetics in Balzac, just North of Calgary.

Canadian Beef Breeds Council Executive Director, Michael Latimer, says they don't know why the companies have not had their permits re-issued after they expired at the end of 2018.

"With the ongoing issues we're hearing regarding canola, and just recently with pork, it's maybe put this circumstance a little bit more under the microscope than we've had in the past."

However, Latimer notes it's not unusual to see delays when renewing permits for international trade.

He says China's cow herd made up of both dairy and beef cattle is ranked around the third or fourth largest in the world.

"It is a big market, it's market that we've put considerable effort into developing relationships over the past few years. We still have good relationships with China on that front. The people we've been in contact with over there are still the friends that we've always enjoyed."

He says they want to work through the proper diplomatic process to see the issue resolved as soon as possible.