AGRI Committee News Release

PRESS RELEASE

THE HOUSE OF COMMONS STANDING COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD TABLES ITS REPORT ON THE REGISTRATION OF PESTICIDES AND THE COMPETITIVENESS OF CANADIAN FARMERS

Ottawa, 8 May 2002 – Mr. Charles Hubbard, Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, tabled in Parliament today the Committee’s report on how the registration of pesticides in Canada may affect the ability of farmers to compete.

“Agriculture is a very competitive sector and our farmers, when on a level playing field, are efficient and can compete.  However, in some sectors such as horticulture, it appears that Canadian farmers do not have access to the same safe and effective pest management tools as their competitors, particularly American producers,” said Mr. Hubbard.  “The Standing Committee made four recommendations to help the Pest Management Regulatory Agency to achieve its goal, which is to protect human health and the environment while supporting the competitiveness of agriculture and other resource sectors,” added Mr. Hubbard.

The report is entitled “Registration of Pesticides and the Competitiveness of Canadian Farmers,” and is available on the Parliament of Canada’s Web site: .  Copies can also be obtained by contacting the Clerk of the Standing Committee:

E-mail:     agri@parl.gc.ca

Telephone: (613) 947-6732

Facsimile: (613) 996-1962