AGRI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met at 3:42 p.m. this day, in Room 536, Wellington Building, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Bev Shipley, it was agreed, — That James Bezan be elected Chair of the Committee.

James Bezan took the Chair.

André Bellavance moved, — That, in accordance with Standing Order 108 (1), the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food ask, as soon as possible, the Minister of International Trade, the Honourable David Emerson, to appear before the Committee to state his position on the supply management system.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Alex Atamanenko, André Bellavance, Ken Boshcoff, Wayne Easter, Jacques Gourde, John Maloney, Jean-Yves Roy, Bev Shipley, Paul Steckle — 9; NAYS: David Anderson, Michael D. Chong — 2.

It was agreed, — That Paul Steckle be permitted to move the motion on notice of Larry Miller.

Paul Steckle moved, — That the Committee recommend that the Minister of Agriculture add locations for the public consultations to be held on the Next Generation of Agriculture and Agri-Food policy and that, those locations be in more rural and accessible areas to the farming community, including Central and Northwestern Ontario.

Debate arose thereon.

On motion of André Bellavance, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “including” the following: “and the Quebec City area”.

On motion of Ken Boshcoff, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by adding between the words “community” and “and” the following: “ including Central and Northwestern Ontario”.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

At 4:09 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:12 p.m., the Committee resumed sitting in camera.

It was agreed, — That the Committee invite Karen Dodds to appear on Tuesday, February 6, 2007, on matters relating to the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) / Own Use Import Program (OUI).

It was agreed, — That the Committee invite representatives from the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and the Canadian Meat Council to appear in relation to the new ban on Specified Risk Materials (SRMs) on Thursday, February 8, 2007.

It was agreed, — That the Committee invite Steve Verheul, Chief Agricultural Negotiator to provide an update on the status of current trade issues on Tuesday, February 20, 2007.

At 4:57 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.