Agriculture Committee on Feb. 26th, 2013

[Dr. Stephen Yarrow]

That again speaks to the regulatory processes here in Canada. I think we've said this a few times. I think Canada probably has the best regulatory system in the world, comparable to that of the U.S. and the European countries, although they have a different political view about GM. But in terms of the risk assessment processes, it doesn't get any better than Canada. There shouldn't be any concerns about what one is eating in the context of biotechnology.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Okay, then, so on the comment about organics looking for specific requirements from government, isn't that more of a commercial nature? It's up to them as an industry to regulate whether they want to have a low-level presence or not.

I would suggest that they move along that way. I think it's in their best interests, because reality is reality, as we see new technologies coming forward. But I guess it's up to them, because they're just marketing the product in a different way. Is that not fair to say?

[Dr. Stephen Yarrow]

I think that's fair to say. I can't really speak for the organic industry, but that's my sense.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

You can also take it to the IP sector. Mr. Valeriote asked about threshold limits. It's actually a very good question: science based versus political based?

Let me throw in another part of the equation. When does the distortion in that final product happen? I'll use the GMO high erucic acid canola as an example. They may allow 1% or 2%, or they may say it's 5% or 10%, but they may base that on a commercial contract based on the final product: the oil and how it reacts in the fryer. Again, is that not a commercial aspect, and not an aspect that government should be involved with?

[Dr. Stephen Yarrow]

I agree, absolutely.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

All right.

I think I'll leave it there, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

It's always good to finish when everybody's in agreement—

[Voices]

Oh, oh!

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

—and I'm not sure where we're going with that.

Thank you to our guests for being here today. It was very informative and very interesting as well.

While our guests are departing, I'm just going to let the committee know that the estimates have been tabled. Mr. Lemieux has secured the minister for Thursday to come to committee. I'm putting it out there as to whether it's agreeable or not. We do have to approve a motion to do so.

Mr. Valeriote.

[Frank Valeriote, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

Mr. Chair, I didn't get proper notice of this motion. I'm curious under what regulation—

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

It's not a motion. It's actually to move ahead on the study of the estimates. I have to read this into the record pursuant to the order of.... The motion has been made in the House.

[Frank Valeriote, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

When was the motion made in the House?

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

The order of reference came on Monday.

[Frank Valeriote, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

That's not a motion. I think you need a motion, Mr. Chair. I didn't get proper notice, and I'm not prepared to consent to have him come this soon—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[Frank Valeriote, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

No moaning and groaning—

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Okay. Just for clarification, they were tabled. The order of reference was on Monday, and it instructs committees to undertake the study of the main estimates and the supplementary, and—

[Frank Valeriote, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

Right.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Because this is an order of business, there doesn't have to be a 48-hour notice given. It can be made as a motion from the floor. I'm just giving notice that the estimates have been tabled and are expected to come to committee.

[Frank Valeriote, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

Okay.

Goodness knows, Mr. Tweed, that we've never argued about anything, but I—

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

We are in business of the committee right now.

[Frank Valeriote, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

Right, but I understood that it needed to be in the form of a motion brought before the committee.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

No.

[Frank Valeriote, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

Well, I'd like to express, notwithstanding that it may not require a motion, that the minister is a minister of the crown. I know that—

Are we in camera?

[A voice]

No.