Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Agriculture and Forestry

Issue 2 - Minutes of Proceedings - October 6, 2011

OTTAWA, Thursday, October 6, 2011
(3)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day at 8:04 a.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Percy Mockler, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Eaton, Fairbairn, P.C., Finley, Mahovlich, Meighen, Mercer, Mockler, Ogilvie, Rivard and Robichaud, P.C. (10).

In attendance: Mathieu Frigon and Sarah Jane Fraser, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament; and Mona Ishack, Communications Officer, Communications Directorate.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, June 16, 2011, the committee began its consideration of research and innovation efforts in the agricultural sector. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 1.)

WITNESSES:

Canadian Food Inspection Agency:

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

Tony Ritchie, Executive Director, Plant Health and Biosecurity Directorate.

Health Canada:

Jeff Farber, Director, Bureau of Microbial Hazards;

Jason Flint, Director, Policy and Regulatory Affairs Division;

Louis Boulay, Manager, Submission and Knowledge Management Division.

Environment Canada:

David Morin, Acting Director General, Science and Risk Assessment;

Jim Louter, Manager, Biotechnology Section.

Dr. Silva, Mr. Farber and Mr. Morin each made opening statements and, together with Mr. Ritchie, Mr. Flint, Mr. Boulay and Mr. Louter answered questions.

At 9:55 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 10 a.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee resumed in camera to consider a draft agenda.

At 10:10 a.m., the committee resumed in public.

The committee considered a budget for its study on research and innovation efforts in the agricultural sector.

After debate, the Honourbale Senator Mercer moved:

That the following budget application (Research and innovation efforts in the agricultural sector), with the adjustments reflected from this meeting and following a final review by the Senate administration that will be overseen by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012, be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:

Professional and Other Services	$ 8,000
Transportation and Communications	$ 212,075
All Other Expenditures	$ 12,480
TOTAL	$ 232,555

The question being put on the motion it was adopted:

At 10:15 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Kevin Pittman

Clerk of the Committee