Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food

HOUSE OF COMMONS CHAMBRE DES COMMUNES OTTAWA, CANADA K1A 0A6

Comité permanent de l'agriculture et de l'agroalimentaire

For immediate release

Ottawa, Wednesday June 27, 2007 - The House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food today released the results of its cross-Canada hearings on the country’s new agricultural and agri-food policy, with the tabling of its 14th report, entitled Fact-Finding Mission on Canada’s New Agriculture and Agri-Food Policy.

Over two weeks, travelling from coast to coast, the members of the Committee met and talked with farmers, farm organization and other stakeholders. A wide range of topics was covered, allowing farmers to present their opinions freely and propose appropriate solutions. Based on the comments heard, the Committee has formulated 36 recommendations designed to improve Canada’s new agriculture and agri-food policy.

“Canada’s farmers know that business risk management is a difficult task, and that sometimes even the best manager can’t foresee certain situations,” said Standing Committee Chair James Bezan (CPC – MP for Selkirk--Interlake). “That’s why the Committee has formulated very specific recommendations in this regard. They include making a national compensation program for disasters a pillar of farm risk management, and incorporating a national farmed animal health strategy into the new agriculture policy.”

According to the Official Opposition Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee, Paul Steckle (L – MP for Huron--Bruce), “The Committee paid special attention to the upcoming generation of farmers, because without them it will be difficult to develop a true national agriculture and agri-food policy, which is also among the Committee’s recommendations.”