The Chair presented the Fourth Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, which read as follows:

Your subcommittee met on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, to consider the business of the committee and agreed to make the following recommendations:

1.That two additional meetings be held to hear witnesses on the study of food price inflation;

2. That two additional meetings be held to hear witnesses on the study of environmental contribution of agriculture pursuant to the motion adopted on October 5, 2022 (bee mortality);

3. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study regarding the preparedness and safeguards in place from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and industry in the case of biosecurity threats to agriculture such as the avian flu, African swine fever, Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), foot and mouth disease and other potential threats to food security; that this study include components such as the vaccine bank, veterinary needs, and reciprocity of standards at our borders; that the committee hold a minimum of three meetings to hear witnesses on this study; and that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House;

4. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study on the potential of the agricultural aspects of the Indo-Pacific Strategy, which focuses on strengthening trade and investment;

That the study aim to:

  a. Better understand the various markets and business opportunities in the different regions of the Indo-Pacific area;

  b. Better understand the aspects, details and scopes of the Indo-Pacific Strategy related to agriculture and agri-food;

  c. Better understand how this strategy will take advantage of the current trade deals in the ASEAN region and how it will be complementary to address areas not covered by these trade deals;

  d. Better understand the objective, metrics and benchmarks to assess the achievement of this strategy;

  e. Better understand the role of the private sector and the ways to engage members of the industry;

And that the committee hold a minimum of six meetings on the study;

5. That pursuant to Standing Order 81(4), the committee undertake a study on the Main Estimates 2023-24 and that the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food be invited to appear;

6. That the committee hold an informal briefing session with the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and that the members of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development be invited;

7. And that the Chair, in collaboration with the Clerk and the analysts, schedule the committee meetings accordingly.

It was agreed, — That the Fourth Report from the subcommittee be concurred in.

Pierre Riel, Paul Sawtell, David Macdonald, Justine Hendricks and Jean-Philippe Gervais made statements and answered questions.