Evidence of meeting #40 for Agriculture and Agri-Food in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was varieties.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bev Shipley
Thank you very much.
We'll go to Madam Raynault, for five minutes, please.
Francine Raynault NDP Joliette, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Santacruz, a little earlier on, you said that Bill C-18 would have impacts on your association. What would those be?
Executive Director, Canadian Nursery Landscape Association
I think if the bill is not passed or the plant breeders' rights aren't amended, it will affect our industry's ability to invest and incentivize industry to put more into plant breeders research, simply because the level of protection allows us to trade and bring in varieties as well to do further research here in Canada. That simply is not as accessible or easy under the UPOV 78 that we have now. In essence it's beneficial for industry to have this to incentivize everyone to invest more and to have a greater ability to trade with other partners, both bringing in genetics, but more importantly for us, selling genetics abroad where we could have protection.
NDP
Francine Raynault NDP Joliette, QC
Thank you for your answer.
My second question is for the representative of the hog producers.
Earlier, you indicated that you would like to see the loan program changed. Do you have any suggestions for us on this subject?
Vice-Chair, Canadian Pork Council
Currently the loan program has ceilings or caps and when they were implemented that would have been reflective to bring value to our industry at that time, but since then, our industry has grown and the caps need to be revamped. As for the CALA, right now there is a maximum of $500,000 to purchase land and the construction or improvement of buildings. Twenty or thirty years ago, $500,000 went a long way, but today it doesn't. Even if you look at the land cost it's not really benefiting. Let's add another zero on that one and see what we can do. That would be my suggestion.
Vice-Chair, Canadian Pork Council
Doesn't that sound easy? I think a $5-million cap would be more reflective of where the industry is right now.
NDP
Francine Raynault NDP Joliette, QC
All right.
Ms. Pfenning, farmers are doing hybridization on their farms. Do you feel that Bill C-18 allows such an activity?
Chair, Organic Council of Ontario
I believe that most farmers who are doing a commercial scale of breeding are registering as seed breeders, or when they get to that point would register their new variety. I don't particularly see a barrier to that continuing, unless the regulatory framework that results from this legislation—and the devil is in the details they say.... The spirit of this bill is to bring us in line with international agreements and other jurisdictions. I have no concern with that particular approach. It will be how it's regulated going forward, what hoops they have to jump through, what standards they have to meet, or what information is required to register that will dictate whether or not it is a positive thing and whether that can continue on those farms.
NDP
Francine Raynault NDP Joliette, QC
In a former life, I was a farmer and I saved seeds in order to use them the following year. I did not sell them. I kept them for myself.
Ms. Pfenning, earlier you said that you had some concerns, particularly regarding proposed section 5.1. Could you explain how you would like to see the bill amended to make life easier for organic producers?
Do you have any suggestions to make on the subject?
Chair, Organic Council of Ontario
I am sorry, I'm looking at the nomenclature here. Is it proposed section 5.1, the rights respecting harvested materials?
Chair, Organic Council of Ontario
Okay. That's a tough one to amend. I confess that is not a section that I spent a significant deal of time analyzing.
Allow me to reread it.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bev Shipley
Maybe we can come back to that question. We're over time.
I will now go to Mr. Payne, for five minutes, please.
Conservative
LaVar Payne Conservative Medicine Hat, AB
Thank you to the witnesses for appearing on video conference with us on this important bill.
We have heard very positive comments on the bill from a number of different organizations. We've also heard that the sooner this bill gets put into law, the better.
Perhaps I could get both the Canadian Pork Council and the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association to make a comment regarding that, starting with the Canadian Pork Council.
Vice-Chair, Canadian Pork Council
To help me understand, you're wondering as far as timelines are concerned, the importance to get the bill passed. Is that correct?
Vice-Chair, Canadian Pork Council
Okay.
For us, because there are some good things in the bill, sooner is better than later. I would also add a caveat to that and say we should do it together in conjunction, like we're doing today where we're discussing ideas and what works for different sectors. To me, that's more important than the timeliness of getting it done, but let's do it together and make it a win for everybody.
I hope that answers your question.
Conservative
LaVar Payne Conservative Medicine Hat, AB
Thank you.
Canadian Nursery Landscape Association, please.
Executive Director, Canadian Nursery Landscape Association
From our end, we've been requesting that we change the PBR amendments specifically since 2005. From our perspective, it's a long time coming and we're very appreciative that it's moving forward. I would have to agree with our friends from the Pork Council that it should be done in consultation, as we are doing now, and I think it's a good step forward. From our end, of course, the sooner the better and we're very happy that it's moving forward.
Conservative
LaVar Payne Conservative Medicine Hat, AB
Also, for the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association, this is a position of all of your members. What kind of membership do you have in terms of numbers?
Executive Director, Canadian Nursery Landscape Association
We have 3,800 companies across the country, of which 800 are primary producers in the nursery, Christmas tree, and turf-producing sectors, so that's primary production of ornamental products, mostly rooted or woody ornamentals.
Conservative
LaVar Payne Conservative Medicine Hat, AB
Okay.
I wonder if you could elaborate a little more on your comment in your opening remarks about how the old rules are not helpful.
Executive Director, Canadian Nursery Landscape Association
It's not so much that they're not helpful, but the old PBR is limiting, especially when our biggest trading partners are under the new conventions. It restricts material to us, and of course, it protects us less anywhere else outside of Canada.
I think it's just beneficial from a trade perspective, especially for a sector that does a fair bit of international trade—and we depend on that—that we're on a level playing field with our biggest competitors and trading partners. As I mentioned earlier, 71% of the world that's following UPOV is under the most current convention. I guess where we have been is not a good place to be from a competitive standpoint.
I agree with Mr. Lemieux, I believe it was, that we do have protection already. I agree with that, but I think it could be greatly improved from our perspective in a specific sector.
