SFSA Committee Meeting

The Subcommitte on Food Safety of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met at 3:35 p.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Order made February 12, 2009.

On motion of Bev Shipley, it was agreed, — That Larry Miller be elected Chair of the Subcommittee.

Larry Miller took the Chair.

On motion of Carolyn Bennett, it was agreed, — That Wayne Easter be elected First Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee.

On motion of Bev Shipley, it was agreed, — That André Bellavance be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee.

David Anderson moved, — That the Subcommittee adopt the following schedule to guide its studies:

The meetings of the Subcommittee on March 31, April 22, April 29, May 6, May 13, May 27, and June 3 be used to call witnesses to discuss issues relating to food safety; and

The meetings of the Subcommittee on June 10 and 17 be used to prepare a final report to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food on these studies; and

That June 17 be the final meeting of this Subcommittee; and

That the final report of the Subcommittee to the Standing Committee include a request that this report be tabled with the House of Commons prior to June 24, 2009.

Debate arose thereon.

Malcolm Allen moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing all words after “guide its studies” with the following:

The meetings should be held in room 269 West Block, 253D Centre Block or 237 Centre Block in the hours following the closure of the House from approximately 7:00pm to 10:00pm. This could be extended from 6:00pm until 10:00pm if the number of witnesses warranted the extension.

The meetings of the Subcommittee on March 31, April 22, April 29, May 6, May 13, May 27, and June 3 be used to call witnesses to discuss issues relating to the Listeriosis Crisis of 2008. The fall meetings of the Subcommittee of Oct 7, Oct 21, Oct 28, Nov 4, Nov. 18, Nov 25, and Dec 2 are used to call witnesses to discuss issues related to food safety.

The meetings of the Subcommittee on June 10 be used to prepare a interim report with recommendations to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food on these studies; and

That the interim report with recommendations of the Subcommittee to the Standing Committee include a request that this report be tabled with the House of Commons on or prior to June 18, 2009.

That the proposed meeting of the Subcommittee on Dec 9 be used to prepare a final report with recommendations to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food on these studies.

RULING BY THE CHAIR

The Chair ruled the proposed amendment out of order as it was inconsistent with the mandate specified in the Order of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food

At 5:31 p.m., the Subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.