AGRI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met in camera at 11:10 a.m. this day, in Room 371, West Block, the Chair, Larry Miller, presiding.

On motion of Pierre Lemieux, it was agreed, — That the Committee proceed to sit in public.

On motion of Alex Atamanenko, it was agreed, — That the Committee proceed to his motion.

Alex Atamanenko moved, — That, given the Listeriosis crisis that occurred last summer, the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food establish a Subcommittee on Listeriosis; and that the members of the subcommittee be named after the usual consultations with the Whips; and that the subcommittee be granted all of the powers of the Committee pursuant to Standing Order 108(1) except the power to report directly to the House.

Debate arose thereon.

Pierre Lemieux moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the word “Listeriosis” with the words “Food Safety”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Pierre Lemieux and it was agreed to.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, given the Listeriosis crisis that occurred last summer, the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food establish a Subcommittee on Food Safety; and that the members of the subcommittee be named after the usual consultations with the Whips; and that the subcommittee be granted all of the powers of the Committee pursuant to Standing Order 108(1) except the power to report directly to the House.

Brian Storseth moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “Whips” the following: “; the composition of the Sub-Committee be proportionnally the same as that of the Standing Committee of Agriculture and Agri-Food with the Chair being a member of the government”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, by unanimous consent, the motion was withdrawn.

On motion of Brian Storseth, it was agreed, — That the sitting be suspended for five (5) minutes .

At 12:06 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:17 p.m., the sitting resumed.

By unanimous consent, Brian Storseth moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “Whips” the following: “; the composition of the Sub-Committee be proportionnally the same as that of the Standing Committee of Agriculture and Agri-Food with the Chair being a member of the government”.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 11; NAYS: 0.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, given the Listeriosis crisis that occurred last summer, the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food establish a Subcommittee on Food Safety; and that the members of the subcommittee be named after the usual consultations with the Whips; the composition of the Sub-Committee be proportionally the same as that of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food with the Chair being a member of the government, and that the subcommittee be granted all of the powers of the Committee pursuant to Standing Order 108(1) except the power to report directly to the House.

The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 11; NAYS: 0.

On motion of Bev Shipley, it was agreed, — That the Committee reconsider Committee Business.

On motion of Alex Atamanenko, it was agreed, — That the Committee proceed to Brian Storseth's motion.

Brian Storseth moved, — That the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food conduct a study of the Competition Act and make recommendations on potential changes in light of the global economy and the effect the lack of competition and pricing is having on the farmer’s ability to produce and sell their products.

Debate arose thereon.

Blake Richards moved, — That the motion be amended by adding between the words “Agri-Food” and “conduct” the following: “, as our top priority,”.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the amendment of Blake Richards and it was negatived on the following recorded division: YEAS: Randy Hoback, Pierre Lemieux, Blake Richards, Bev Shipley, Brian Storseth — 5; NAYS: Alex Atamanenko, André Bellavance, France Bonsant, Bonnie Crombie, Wayne Easter, Mark Eyking — 6.

Randy Hoback moved, — That the motion be amended by adding between the words “Agri-Food” and “conduct” the following: “, after the meeting on Supplementary Estimates (B) 2008-2009,”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, by unanimous consent, the amendment was withdrawn.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 11; NAYS: 0.

Randy Hoback moved, — That the Committee study the effect of current regulations on the competitiveness of farm products produced in Canada versus similar products which are imported from other countries and in this review, the committee should study the current validity of existing regulations and identify those regulations which are no longer relevant in order to reduce the regulatory burden on farmers..

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 11; NAYS: 0.

Pierre Lemieux moved, — That the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food study International Trade and Market Development to the benefit of our farmers.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 11; NAYS: 0.

Alex Atamanenko moved, — The Committee proceeded to the reconsideration of matters related to Committee Business.

At 1:02 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.