AGRI Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 11

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met at 3:30 p.m. this day, in Room 371, West Block, the Chair, Larry Miller, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Alex Atamanenko, France Bonsant, Hon. Wayne Easter, Hon. Mark Eyking, Randy Hoback, Pierre Lemieux, Larry Miller, Blake Richards, Bev Shipley, Brian Storseth and Francis Valeriote.

Acting Members present: Claude Guimond for André Bellavance, Hon. Shawn Murphy for Hon. Wayne Easter and Merv Tweed for Pierre Lemieux.

Associate Members present: Malcolm Allen.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Aïcha Coulibaly ; Frédéric Forge.

Witnesses: Canadian Bankers Association: Marion Wrobel, Market and Regulatory Developments; Jon Curran, Agriculture Credit Products, TD Canada Trust; Bob Funk, Agricultural Services, Scotiabank; Bertrand Montel, Agribusiness and Agrifood Sector, National Bank of Canada; Gwen Paddock, Agriculture and Agribusiness, RBC Royal Bank of Canada; David Rinneard, Agriculture, BMO Bank of Montreal; Darryl Worsley, Agriculture Segment Business Banking, CIBC.

The Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to Committee business.

On motion of Wayne Easter, it was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $86, 969, for the Committee’s travel to Quebec and Atlantic Canada in Spring 2010 be adopted and that the Chair present the said budget to the Budget Subcommittee of the Liaison Committee.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the Committee on Monday, March 15, 2010, the Committee commenced its study of young farmers and the future of farming.

Marion Wrobel made a statement and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.

The Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to Committee business.

On motion of Mark Eyking, it was agreed, — Whereas the cloud of volcanic ash from the eruption of a volcano in Iceland has contaminated the feedstuffs of livestock farmers in the surrounding area and new forage may not be safe for months or years, the Committee recommends that the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food approach his Icelandic counterpart, Minster of Fisheries and Agriculture Jón Bjarnason, to see if Canadian forage assistance could help their farmers during this troubled time.

It was agreed, — That the Committee append to its Report on the World Trade Organization Negotiations a dissenting opinion from the Conservative Party.

At 5:15 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Isabelle Duford
Clerk of the Committee

2010/09/29 1:47 p.m.