Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Agriculture and Forestry

Issue 2 - Minutes of Proceedings - Meeting of December 12, 2013

OTTAWA, Thursday, December 12, 2013
(5)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day at 8 a.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Percy Mockler, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Buth, Dagenais, Eaton, Maltais, Mercer, Merchant, Mockler, Ogilvie, Oh, Rivard and Tardif (11).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Robichaud, P.C. (1).

In attendance: Aïcha Coulibaly, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, November 21, 2013, the committee continued its consideration of the importance of bees and bee health in the production of honey, food and seed in Canada. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 1.)

WITNESSES:

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada:

Stephen F. Pernal, Ph.D., Research Scientist (Apiculture) (by video conference).

Canadian Food Inspection Agency:

Dr. Ian D. Alexander, Executive Director/Chief Veterinary Officer for Canada;

Dr. Primal Silva, Executive Director, Animal Health Science Directorate.

Health Canada:

Scott Kirby, Director, Product Assessment, Pest Management Regulatory Agency;

Lars Juergensen, Head, Policy and Strategic Advice, Pest Management Regulatory Agency.

Mr. Pernal, Dr. Silva and Mr. Kirby each made opening statements and, together with Dr. Alexander and Mr. Juergensen, answered questions.

At 10 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Kevin Pittman

Clerk of the Committee