Evidence of meeting #38 for Agriculture and Agri-Food in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was negotiations.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Steve Verheul  Chief Agriculture Negotiator, Negotiations and Multilateral Trade Policy Directorate, Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Gerry Salembier  Director General, Multilateral Trade Policy, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Darwin Satherstrom  Director, Trade Programs Directorate, Canada Border Services Agency
Gilles Le Blanc  Senior Chief, International Trade Policy Division, International Trade and Finance, Department of Finance
Debra Bryanton  Executive Director, Food Safety, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

5:15 p.m.

Chief Agriculture Negotiator, Negotiations and Multilateral Trade Policy Directorate, Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Steve Verheul

The minister created this dairy working group back in the early spring. The reaction we were getting very early on in that process, including from dairy producers, was that article XXVIII isn't necessarily the best approach to deal with the issues. We were trying to develop a process where producers and processors and the government could each look at this issue and try to come up with longer-term approaches that would be less disruptive in other ways. That process broke down in January, which led us back to the article XVIII route. So that's where we are.

In terms of the imports, as was mentioned earlier on, we tend to look at three-year averages. Any recent movement may have some effect, but it's not going to have a major effect. It will be the three-year average that will be important.

5:15 p.m.

Liberal

Paul Steckle Liberal Huron—Bruce, ON

Is Finance part of what is moving forward on this?

5:15 p.m.

Senior Chief, International Trade Policy Division, International Trade and Finance, Department of Finance

Gilles Le Blanc

That was a government decision, which was announced on February 7.

5:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Bezan

I want to thank all the witnesses for coming in today. I know this discussion could have gone on for quite some time.

Mr. Le Blanc.

5:15 p.m.

Senior Chief, International Trade Policy Division, International Trade and Finance, Department of Finance

Gilles Le Blanc

I want to clarify one thing. I said that the article XXVIII negotiations, as a result of the simplified tariff, took a reasonable period of time. I think it took perhaps a few years, but what prevented agreement was not significant.

5:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Bezan

I appreciate that clarification. It's on the record. It will be in our proceedings.

With that, we're adjourned.