AGRI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met in camera at 9:03 a.m. this day, in Room 701 La Promenade Building, the Chair, Paul Steckle, presiding.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108 (2), the Committee resume its study of the Canadian livestock and beef pricing in the aftermath of the BSE crisis which was undertaken during the 3rd Session of the 37th Parliament .

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That Lakeside Packers Ltd., Alberta and Cargill Foods of High River, Alberta be ordered to provide to the Clerk of the Committee, prior to 12:00 p.m. (noon), Friday, October 29, 2004, for an in camera review by the Standing Committee, the following documents: a) a copy of the financial statements detailing the added marginal costs attributable to the new BSE safety regulations along with their profit margins on a monthly basis for calendar year 2003; (b) documents explaining why the prices they paid for fed steers and heifers declined by approximately 50% in the three weeks following announcement of the federal-provincial BSE Recovery Program on 18 June 2003; c) financial information of revenues, expenditures and gross and net profit margins for Canadian operations by month for 2003 and 2002 (information required for comparative purposes with 2003); d) related information as outlined in the notes in the attached template (Annex A); and e) explanations on the effect of fed steer and heifer market following the announcement of federal-provincial BSE recovery program as far as your specific company is concerned .

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That if these companies fail to produce the said documents, the matter will be reported to the House.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That whenever the Main Estimates or the Supplementary Estimates are tabled in the House, the Committee invite the Minister and any relevant Senior Officials of a Department to appear at a televised meeting of the Committee.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 111(4), whenever an Order in Council for appointment or a certificate of nomination for appointment is referred to the Committee, the Clerk shall obtain and circulate to each member of the Committee a copy of the curriculum vitae of each appointee/nominee.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That whenever a Chapter of a Report of the Auditor General refers to a subject under the mandate of the Committee, the Committee invite the Office of the Auditor General of Canada and any relevant Senior Officials of a Department to appear at a televised meeting of the Committee at the earliest.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108 (2), the Committee undertake a study on the strategy for repositioning the livestock industry.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 81 (4), the Committee examine the Main Estimates 2004-2005.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108 (2), the Committee undertake a study on Canadian Agriculture Income Stabilization (CAIS).

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108 (2), the Committee examine the Agricultural Policy Framework.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108 (2), the Committee undertake a study on grain transportation.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the Committee invite officials from Pest Management Regulatory Agency to appear before the Committee .

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the Clerk make the necessary arrangements for the Committee to travel to Abbotsford, B.C. in February 2005 to study the avian flu situation.

At 10:16 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.