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AGRI Committee Meeting

Notices of Meeting include information about the subject matter to be examined by the committee and date, time and place of the meeting, as well as a list of any witnesses scheduled to appear. The Evidence is the edited and revised transcript of what is said before a committee. The Minutes of Proceedings are the official record of the business conducted by the committee at a sitting.

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 41

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met at 9:07 a.m. this day, in Room 371, West Block, the Chair, James Bezan, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Alex Atamanenko, André Bellavance, James Bezan, Ken Boshcoff, Hon. Wayne Easter, Guy Lauzon, Larry Miller, Hon. Carol Skelton, Lloyd St. Amand, Brian Storseth and Ève-Mary Thaï Thi Lac.

Acting Members present: Omar Alghabra for Paul Steckle and Hon. Robert Thibault for Paul Steckle.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Jean-Denis Fréchette, Principal.

Witnesses: Fédération des apiculteurs du Québec: Diane Caron, Secretary; Jean-François Doyon, President. Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Paul Mayers, Acting Vice-President, Programs; Catherine Airth, Acting Associate Vice-President, Operations; Martin Appelt, Human Transportation of Animals Specialist, Foreign Animal Diseases, Animal Welfare.

It was agreed, — That Committee business be considered at the end of today's presentations by the witnesses.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee commenced its study on the situation of the Bee Industry.

Jean-François Doyon made an opening statement an answered questions.

By unanimous consent, the Committee resumed consideration of matters related to Committee business.

It was agreed, — That a sum of $ 11,000.00 (Eleven Thousand dollars) be granted to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food to cover the expenses of witnesses who appeared before this Committee under the Study of the Tobacco Production in Canada on Thursday, June 12, 2008.

Guy Lauzon moved, — That the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food urges the Government of Canada to ensure Canadian farmers are not saddled with a carbon tax which would further increase their input costs and hurt their competitiveness vis-à-vis their American competitors.

Debate arose thereon.

At 9:55 a.m., by unanimous consent, debate on the motion was suspended.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the Committee on May 27, 2008, the Committee commenced its briefing by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on Animal Transport Regulations.

Paul Mayers made an opening statement and, with Martin Appelt and Catherine Airth, answered questions.

At 10 : 30 a.m., the Committee resumed consideration of Committee's Business.

Debate resumed on the motion of Guy Lauzon.

Brian Storseth moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting all the words after the word “Agri-Food” and replacing them with the following: “study the effects of a carbon tax or any broad based environmental tax and ensure that Canadian Farmers are not saddled with a carbon tax which would further increase their input costs and hurt their competitiveness”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Brian Storseth and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Omar Alghabra, André Bellavance, Wayne Easter, Guy Lauzon, Larry Miller, Carol Skelton, Lloyd St. Amand, Brian Storseth, Ève-Mary Thaï Thi Lac — 9; NAYS: Alex Atamanenko, Ken Boshcoff — 2.

The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Omar Alghabra, André Bellavance, Wayne Easter, Guy Lauzon, Larry Miller, Carol Skelton, Lloyd St. Amand, Brian Storseth, Ève-Mary Thaï Thi Lac — 9; NAYS: Alex Atamanenko, Ken Boshcoff — 2.

Lloyd St. Amand moved, — That the Standing Committee of Agriculture and Agri-food urges the federal government to immediately provide funding for tobacco farmers to the extent of $1.78 per pound as an interim payment until a full exit strategy can be implemented.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Omar Alghabra, Alex Atamanenko, André Bellavance, Ken Boshcoff, Wayne Easter, Lloyd St. Amand, Ève-Mary Thaï Thi Lac — 7; NAYS: Guy Lauzon, Larry Miller, Carol Skelton, Brian Storseth — 4.

At 10:57 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Georges Etoka
Committee Clerk

2008/06/18 10:35 a.m.