Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Agriculture and Forestry

Issue 31 - Minutes of Proceedings - March 21, 2013

OTTAWA, Thursday, March 21, 2013
(61)

[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 Buth, Callbeck, Eaton, Maltais, Mercer, Mockler, Plett, Rivard, Robichaud, P.C., and Tardif (10).

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, June 16, 2011, the committee continued 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:

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada:

Kristina Namiesniowski, Assistant Deputy Minister, Markets and Industry Services Branch;

Frédéric Seppey, Chief Agriculture Negotiator and Director General, Trade Agreements and Negotiations Directorate;

Fred Gorrell, Director General, Market Access Secretariat.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency:

Paul Mayers, Associate Vice-President, Policy and Programs Branch;

Ms. Namiesniowski made an opening statement and, together with Mr. Mayers, Mr. Seppey and Mr. Gorrell, answered questions.

At 9:13 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 9:17 a.m., pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, February 27, 2013, the committee began its consideration of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's User Fee Proposal for Importer Licencing for Non-federally Registered Sector Products.

WITNESSES:

Canadian Food Inspection Agency:

Paul Mayers, Associate Vice-President, Policy and Programs Branch;

Mark Burgham, Acting Executive Director, Food Safety Strategies.

Mr. Mayers made an opening statement and, together with Mr. Burgham, answered questions.

At 10 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 10:03 a.m., pursuant to rule 12-16 (1)(d), the committee proceeded in camera to consider a draft report.

After debate, it was agreed that the draft report on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's User Fee Proposal for Importer Licencing for Non-federally Registered Sector Products be adopted, on division.

At 10:16 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Kevin Pittman

Clerk of the Committee