AGRI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met in camera at 9:05 a.m. this day, in Room 701, La Promenade Building, the Chair, Gerry Ritz, presiding.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee invite the minister to appear and discuss the modalities pertaining to the one billion dollar announcement.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That a meeting be held on Thursday, May 11, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. to receive a briefing from the Dairy Processors Association of Canada and Dairy Farmers of Canada respecting on Imports on Milk Protein Concentrates.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That a meeting be held to receive a briefing respecting the WTO.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That a meeting be held to receive a briefing respecting Hopper Cars.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That a meeting be held to receive a briefing respecting Biofuel Strategy.

By unanimous consent, 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.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the Committee send a letter to the Minister regarding the status of direction of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

On motion of Alex Atamanenko, it was agreed, — That item # 6 (Hopper Cars) on the list of Future Business be put # 4 on the list of priorities for the Committee.

Wayne Easter moved, — That given the recent federal budget and the implications of the budget on agriculture and given that the funds identified in the budget are not to be targeted to producers on an immediate basis, this Committee invite the Minister of Agriculture to appear before it on Thursday, May 11, 2006, at its regular scheduled meeting.

Debate arose thereon.

James Bezan moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “on Thursday, May 11, 2006” with the words “as soon as possible”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of James Bezan and it was negatived.

Larry Miller moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting the words “and given that the funds identified in the budget are not to be targeted to producers on an immediate basis”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Larry Miller and it was agreed to.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

At 10:03 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.