AGRI Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 9

Monday, March 22, 2004

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met at 3:39 p.m. this day, in Room 371 West Block, the Chair, Paul Steckle, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Gilbert Barrette, Rick Borotsik, Wayne Easter, Ken Epp, Mark Eyking, Howard Hilstrom, David Kilgour, Larry McCormick, John O'Reilly, Paul Steckle and Rose-Marie Ur.

Acting Members present: Claude Duplain for Georges Farrah and Suzanne Tremblay for Louis Plamondon.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Jean-Denis Fréchette, Principal ; Dan Shaw, Analyst.

Witnesses: Canada Beef Export Federation: Ben Thorlakson, Chairman. Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors: Nick Jennery, President ; Kim McKinnon, Vice-President, Communications; Paul Fortin, Vice-President, Fresh Foods Merchandise & Procurement, The Great Atlantic & Pacific Company of Canada Limited.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the Committee on Thursday, February 12, 2004, the Committee resumed its study of the pricing of beef at the slaughter, wholesale and retail levels, in the context of the BSE crisis in Canada.

David Kilgour moved, — That Lakeside Packers Ltd., Alberta, Cargill Foods of High River, Alberta and XL Beef of Calgary, Alberta, and Saskatchewan be ordered to provide to the Clerk of the Committee no later than (DATE):(a) a copy of the financial statements detailing the added marginal costs attributable to the new BSE safety regulations along with their profit margins before and after 20 May 2003; and (b) documents explaining why the prices they paid for fed steers and heifers declined by approximately 50% in the three weeks following announcement of the federal-provincial BSE Recovery Program on 18 June 2003.

Debate arose thereon.

It was agreed, — That the debate on the motion be deferred to the next meeting of the Committee.

Ben Thorlakson, Nick Jennery, Kim McKinnon and Paul Fortin made statements and answered questions.

At 5:33 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Bibiane Ouellette
Clerk of the Committee

2004/03/23 2:33 p.m.