AGRI Committee News Release
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Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food |
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Comité permanent de l'agriculture et de l'agroalimentaire |
For immediate release
NEWS RELEASE
Toward a Common Goal: Canada's Food Supply Chain Part 1
Ottawa, June 12, 2013 -
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS STANDING COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD TABLES PART 1 OF ITS REPORT ON CANADA’S FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN
Mr. Merv Tweed, Chair of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, tabled today in the House of Commons the first part of the Committee’s report on Canada’s food supply chain.
The Committee conducted 26 meetings, heard more than 70 witnesses, and focused on the supply chain of the red meat, grains and oilseeds, and beverage sectors. The Committee made 14 recommendations that reflect stakeholders’ expectations on what the government could do to help these three sectors to be profitable and sustainable. For example:
• That the government maintain its support for the Value Chain Roundtables (VCRTs).
• That the government, in collaboration with the industry, propose a clear definition of the term “natural meat” to prevent any confusion among consumers.
• That the government encourage initiatives that enable drivers to take proper training so that they can transport animals safely.
• That Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada examine all federal policies affecting the plant breeding sector including available grants and contributions, in-house research programs, intellectual property rights, and regulatory processes; and develop a policy strategy that will encourage the development of new varieties of grains and oilseeds and improve competition in the plant breeding sector.
•That Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Transport Canada review, in cooperation with the industry, the design of the Grain Monitoring Program to define additional criteria to monitor and measure the performance of the Canadian Grain Handling and Transportation System, and look at different options to disseminate the information as close to real time as possible.
• That the Government of Canada consult with stakeholders regarding excise tax exemption on Canadian alcoholic beverages in order to promote the development of Canadian alcoholic beverages industry.
• That the Government of Canada continue to invest in innovation and research and development to support the Canadian beverage industry.
“The food supply chain is based on a very complex network, which varies from one sector to another. Canadian consumers, and customers abroad have very high and specific expectations regarding Canadian products; that information must flow all the way back to the producers. It is therefore imperative to bring all stakeholders together to discuss the issues affecting their sector, develop common strategies, and work toward a common goal.” said the Chair of the Committee.
The Committee expects to focus on other sectors as part of this study, when it will resume its activities in the fall of 2013.
The report is entitled Toward a Common Goal: Canada’s Food Supply Chain Part 1, and is available on the Parliament of Canada’s web site at: www.parl.gc.ca/AGRI.
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