Lyle Vanclief

[Agriculture, October 24th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, in eradicating this insect, the hon. member I think is aware of the fact that hardwood trees, with a certificate, can be moved out of the ministerial quarantine zone. Softwood trees must be processed within that zone.

However, if the outside of those logs are removed and the inspection shows that the core of that log is not infected, with a certificate, they can move those out and we will work with the province on this. We have and we will continue as well to assess any alternate or suggested process of doing this with the province of--

[Agriculture, October 24th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, if the hon. member wants a briefing on the difference between the BSE recovery program and the business risk management program, I would be pleased to give him one.

The BSE recovery program was an additional support to the beef industry on top of the business risk management program of another $312 million from the federal government. That will go to the producers.

The other program that is there for producers to apply on an interim basis, because his province has signed the implementation agreement, and at the end of the year is still there as the business risk management program and it has an unlimited amount of money.

[Agriculture, October 24th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I am very disappointed that the hon. member is indicating that we should not do an audit. The opposition sits over there and tells us that we should mind and be careful of how moneys are spent.

Unfortunately, we found there had been some applications for cattle that were slaughtered that were paid twice. The applications came in twice.

There was an unlimited amount of money and everyone in the industry knew that there was a bookend, if I could put it that way, on the end of the program. As applications continue to come in after that, the applications will be reviewed. I can assure the hon. member that after the audit to ensure that the money was paid out properly, all the applications applicable--

[Agriculture, October 24th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, we are all very disappointed that the Asian longhorned beetle has infested parts of the metro Toronto area.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is preparing an application to the Pest Management Regulatory Agency in the Ministry of Health for registration for the use of this chemical in this situation. If it is registered, it will be part of an integrated approach to the eradication of the Asian longhorned beetle in the Toronto area and in Canada.

[Agriculture, October 23rd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I have had numerous meetings this week with the cattle industry, including representation from the cattle industry in the province of Quebec. We recognize the situation with the older animals in the Canadian beef industry today and we are working with the industry and with all provincial governments, including the provincial government in Quebec.

We look forward in the near future to be able to make some further support to the slaughter and the feeding of older animals in Canada.

[Agriculture, October 22nd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the government continues to pressure the United States and other countries around the world to open the market.

The President of the United States and the Prime Minister spoke yesterday. The Minister for International Trade spoke to a number of countries at the APEC meeting about this issue. I have spoken to Secretary Veneman about this issue this week.

We have made more strides and more advancement in getting the Canadian border open than any other country in the world has ever made in such circumstances. We have more to do and we will continue those efforts. The industry is there to support. I continue to meet with the industry to find ways, not only to open borders but to support the industry through this--

[Agriculture, October 21st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows and the House knows that the first concerns we all have, whether it be products of biotechnology or whatever, are that of science and safety. Both must be reviewed by the Ministry of Health or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

We also know there are other concerns in areas such as roundup ready wheat. We are discussing the implementation of another step in the process with the industry, the provinces and everyone in order to recognize the concerns that are out there before any product is commercialized, even if it did pass all of the safety tests. That step needs to be put in place and we are working toward doing that.

[Agriculture, October 20th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I have frequent conversations with my counterpart in the United States and I can tell members that I had one of those within the last hour and a half.

The secretary in the United States is not able to inform anyone as to when the regulations will be published. The Americans have a process that is very similar to what we have. Regulations are published and then there is a comment period. No announcement has been made as to when the regulations will be published and that has been confirmed to me today.

We anticipate it will be in the not too distant future. No date has been set and that date has not been given to anyone at this time.

[Agriculture, October 20th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture asked for a third party study of the new business risk management program.

The first vice-president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture is also the president of the UPA. We responded to that and the report that came back in June of this year said very clearly that the new business risk management proposal and program for Canadian producers is better than the programs that were there in the past.

I do not know why the hon. member is complaining when we are making improvements to support the farmers rather than making other changes.

[Agriculture, October 20th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, we have been having meetings for a number of weeks of now, including discussions with provincial ministers, the Canadian Cattlemen's Association and the Dairy Farmers of Canada. We have been discussing with them the concerns we all have with the culled cow situation in Canada and the development of markets and ways in which we can work with the provinces and the industry to alleviate the financial pressure that has been caused by BSE.

I can tell the hon. member we will continue those discussions with the provinces and the industry.