AGRI Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 24

Thursday, April 3, 2008

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met at 9:04 a.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chair, James Bezan, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: André Bellavance, James Bezan, Hon. Wayne Easter, Guy Lauzon, Larry Miller, Hon. Carol Skelton, Lloyd St. Amand, Paul Steckle and Brian Storseth.

Acting Members present: Dennis Bevington for Alex Atamanenko and Roger Gaudet for Ève-Mary Thaï Thi Lac.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Jean-Denis Fréchette, Principal ; Mathieu Frigon, Analyst.

Witnesses: Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Carla Barry, Acting Director, Consumer Protection; Debra Bryanton, Executive Director, Food Safety Directorate. Competition Bureau: Colette Downie, Deputy Commissioner of Competition, Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Branch; Andrea Rosen, Acting Deputy Commissioner of Competition, Fair Business Practices Branch; Richard Taylor, Deputy Commissioner of Competition, Civil Matters Branch.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee commenced its study on "Product of Canada" claims .

The witnesses made statements and answered questions.

At 10:49 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 10:52 a.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

It was agreed, — That the clerk be instructed to prepare a draft itinerary and budget for the Committee's travel to Geneva, Paris and Brussels from May 24 to May 30, 2008, as part of its Fact-Finding Mission on the World Trade Organization for consideration by the Committee as soon as possible; and that the draft budget include appropriate amounts for the participation of 8 members of the Committee which includes the Chair with representatives from all parties, in addition to the necessary staff.

It was agreed, — That the Committee engage the services of Thomsen Corporation for the period of April 9th to June 10th, 2008, for a total amount not to exceed $ 45,000 to assist the Committee in its study of the Input Costs for Farmers; the contractor is to provide the following services to the Committee: update on the situation of certain input costs for farmers between January 2007 and April 2008.

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $ 45,000, for the Committee’s Study on High Input Costs Facing Canadian Farmers from April 9 to June 10, 2008, be adopted and that the Chair present the said budget to the Budget Subcommittee of the Liaison Committee.

At 11:04 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

James M. Latimer
Committee Clerk

2008/04/07 10:48 a.m.