Thank you, Chair.
I'd like to move amendment G-1, that Bill C-18, in clause 5, be amended by replacing line 2 on page 7 with the following:
5(1)(a) and (b) and—for the purposes of exercising those rights and the right to store—the right referred to in paragraph 5(1 )(g) do not apply to harvested
When put into context, it will read as follows:
The rights referred to in paragraphs 5(1)(a) and (b) and—for the purposes of exercising those rights and the right to store—the right referred to in paragraph 5(1)(g) do not apply to harvested material of the plant variety....
This committee heard from almost every witness interested in UPOV 91 that the government needed to strengthen the farmers' privilege. When he was here the minister indicated that that's what he heard through consultations, and this amendment is what he spoke about when he was here in front of committee.
We're using the word “store”. It clearly sets out that storage for the purposes of propagation, and conditioning for propagation, are permissible for the farmer for the sole purpose of propagation on his or her own holdings, for example replanting in future years. This amendment also makes it clear that stocking of seed, as long as it is for the purpose of propagating on the farmer's own holding, is also included in the exemption. The amendment has been drafted to make sure that the reproduction of propagating material and/or conditioning of propagating material is also protected under farmers' privilege.
I would encourage each of my colleagues here to support this amendment.