AGRI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met at 9:04 a.m. this day, in Room 371, West Block, the Chair, James Bezan, presiding.

The Committee resumed consideration of the motion of Alex Atamanenko, — That the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food write a letter to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Honourable Gerry Ritz, recommending the government abandon its plan to remove Kernel Visual Distinguishability (KVD) as a variety registration screening criteria for all classes of Western Canadian wheat as of August 1, 2008, and only proceed with its removal when a variety identification system that has gained the confidence of those whose interests are protected by the current KVD system, has been put in its place.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Alex Atamanenko, Larry Bagnell, André Bellavance, Ken Boshcoff, Wayne Easter, Louis Plamondon, Lloyd St. Amand — 7; NAYS: Guy Lauzon, Larry Miller, Carol Skelton, Brian Storseth — 4.

Wayne Easter moved, — That the Standing Committee on Agriculture call Mr. Ian White the new President and CEO of the Canadian Wheat Board to appear before the committee as soon as possible.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 9; NAYS: 0.

Lloyd St. Amand moved, — The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food calls on the Federal Government to immediately implement an exit strategy for tobacco producers consistent with the most recent proposal they have submitted.

Debate arose thereon.

Guy Lauzon moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing all the words after “to” with the following “continue to work with all partners to find a workable way forward for tobacco growers, manufactures, communities and the federal and provincial governments”.

The Chair ruled the proposed amendment inadmissible as it exceeded the scope of the motion, as provided on page 453 of House of Commons Procedure and Practice.

Larry Miller moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing all the words after “producers” with the following “and continue to work with all partners to find a workable way forward for tobacco growers, manufactures, communities and the federal and provincial governments”.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

Wayne Easter moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “submitted” the following: “and that it be reported to the House”.

The question was put on the amendment of Wayne Easter and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 4.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food calls on the Federal Government to immediately implement an exit strategy for tobacco producers consistent with the most recent proposal they have submitted and that it be reported to the House.

The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Alex Atamanenko, Larry Bagnell, André Bellavance, Ken Boshcoff, Wayne Easter, Louis Plamondon, Lloyd St. Amand — 7; NAYS: Guy Lauzon, Larry Miller, Joe Preston, Carol Skelton — 4.

Blake Johnston, Larry McIntosh, Jill Hobbs and Anne Fowlie made statements and, with Dan Dempster, answered questions.

At 10:59 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.