Evidence of meeting #17 for Agriculture and Agri-Food in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was producers.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Earl Dreeshen Conservative Red Deer, AB
I realize this is going to be difficult to jump into the middle of this.
Mr. Lemieux had been talking about having funds available, and then crop insurance, looking at two parts of the program, with the ability to access funds out of the one to be able to pay premium differentials with crop insurance. I'm just wondering whether that might be one of the things you would look at when making suggestions to the committee with regard to program adjustments, if you think that would be a logical approach to take?
5:10 p.m.
Regional Administrator, B.C. Breeder and Feeder Association
It certainly bears thought, definitely.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Larry Miller
Thank you.
I just have a clarification.
Mr. Brennan, you were talking about diversity, and I believe it was in response to Mr. Rousseau's question. And, Mr. Orb, you might have touched on it.
When I think of diversity, it's when you have a mixed operation, were you basically don't put all your eggs in one basket. You had said something that made me think you were thinking of something else. Was I wrong in assuming that?
5:10 p.m.
Chairman, Potatoes New Brunswick
No. I was referring to the trend in our area right now. There are more farmers going to other crops, non-typical crops in our area, like grain corn, soybeans, and canola, and diversifying into those other crops instead of solely potatoes. That's what I meant by that. And it is a good thing.
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Larry Miller
Sure. And that's the type of diversity that I was thinking of.
I've had the odd farmer say to me, “I'm into four or five things. Because of that, it sometimes keeps me from drawing an AgriStability payment—or maybe not as big a one.”
But I also have a lot of other farmers tell me, “It's our responsibility to minimize our risk.” Would you agree with that statement?
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Larry Miller
Thank you very much.
With that, we do have some committee business to take care of. I'd like to thank our witnesses for being here with us.
Connie, thank you very much for joining us. I hope the snow doesn't pile up on you too badly up there.
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Larry Miller
Okay. Thanks very much.
We'll just let the witnesses leave the table. Thanks again for being here.
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Lemieux Conservative Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
Chair, just because we are discussing routine motions or amending a routine motion, I recommend that we move in camera.
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Lemieux Conservative Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
(Motion agreed to)
[Proceedings continue in camera]