AGRI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met in camera at 3:35 p.m. this day, in Room 371 West Block, the Chair, Paul Steckle, presiding.

Janak Shah made a statement and, with the other witness, answered questions.

It was agreed, — That, due to the need for additional analysis and follow up relative to financial and pricing information provided by meatpackers to meet requirements of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food regarding its study on BSE government programs, the Committee requests the extension of the professional services contract between Consulting and Audit Canada and the Library of Parliament in order to pursue, on-site, the second phase of its in-depth analysis of financial and pricing information as well as the government assistance received by packers and the latter’s relation with beef pricing.

It was agreed, — That the draft report, be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the report be entitled: Status Report - Financial Analysis Relative to Meat Packing Companies in the context of BSE Crisis of 2003 - Phase I.

It was agreed, — That the Chair, Clerk and researchers be authorized to make such grammatical and editorial changes as may be necessary without changing the substance of the report.

It was agreed, — That the Chair present the report to the House.

It was agreed, — That the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) make available a progress report on its activities, prior to its appearance before the Standing Committee every six months;

That the progress report highlight various indicators such as the number of new pesticides approved, the number of old pesticides re-evaluated, the number of minor use pesticides approved, the number of temporary and emergency registrations, and other information pertaining to Agency’s operations, including cost recovery initiates and staffing requirements; and

That the report be reviewed in consultation with the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development.

It was agreed, — That officials from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency appear before the Committee as a follow-up to the Abbotsford, British Columbia meetings on the avian flu crisis.

It was agreed, — That the Canadian Bankers Association appear before the Committee to discuss the farm income crisis.

It was agreed, — That the Committee conduct a study of plant breeders' rights.

At 5:27 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.