AGRI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met in camera at 3:31 p.m. this day, in Room 213, Wellington Building, the Chair, Larry Miller, presiding.

It was agreed, — That the Committee proceed to sit in public and that the Committee proceed to the consideration of matters related to Committee business.

At 3:32 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 3:33 p.m., the sitting resumed in public.

On motion of Pierre Lemieux, it was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $15,350, in relation to its study on genetically modified organisms, be adopted.

Francis Valeriote moved, — That the Committee recommend to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities that the Government of Canada take such steps, commence such inquires and/or amend such Canadian legislation or regulations as may be required to forthwith prevent the delisting and subsequent closure, for which notice was given by Canadian National, of 53 designated producer car loading sites in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta and the removal of the shunt lines providing service to such sites, for such period of time that the Government of Canada, in its opinion and in consultation with all stakeholders, determines advisable and in the best interest of all concerned.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 11; NAYS: 0.

Pierre Lemieux moved, — That the Committee call forward no more witnesses and debate no more motions until the review of the report on the competitiveness of Canadian agriculture is completed.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division: YEAS: Randy Hoback, Pierre Lemieux, Blake Richards, Bev Shipley, Brian Storseth — 5; NAYS: Alex Atamanenko, André Bellavance, France Bonsant, Wayne Easter, Mark Eyking, Francis Valeriote — 6.

On motion of Randy Hoback, it was agreed, — That the Committee proceed to the consideration of Alex Atamanenko's motion.

Alex Atamanenko moved, — That the Committee recommend that the government follow in the footsteps of the Province of Saskatchewan and the over 40 Municipalities across Canada that have issued proclamations declaring May 29, 2010, as the Day of the Honey Bee by proclaiming May 29, 2010, as the National Day of the Honey Bee and that this be reported to the House.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 11; NAYS: 0.

André Bellavance moved, — That the Committee resume consideration of the motion of André Bellavance which reads as follows: - That the Committee recommend to the government that it immediately implement an assistance program for the cattle industry to help it cover the $31.70 cost per head, which represents the competitiveness gap between Canada and the United States caused by Canada’s Specified Risk Materials (SRM) standards; and that the Committee report to the House of Commons.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Alex Atamanenko, André Bellavance, France Bonsant, Wayne Easter, Mark Eyking, Francis Valeriote — 6; NAYS: Randy Hoback, Pierre Lemieux, Blake Richards, Bev Shipley, Brian Storseth — 5.

The Committee resumed consideration of the motion of André Bellavance.

The debate continued.

At 5:17 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.