Evidence of meeting #22 for Agriculture and Agri-Food in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was food.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Lloyd Longfield Liberal Guelph, ON
No, that's fine.
Canada wants to be the leader in food in the world. Perhaps you could tell us how important a role genetics might play in our becoming the leader in the world.
President and Chief Executive Officer, BIOTECanada
Our history of innovation, particularly in the genetics space, is well known. It's generating phenomenally exciting solutions for global challenges.
We're well positioned. We have a great university system. We have great scientists. We have a history of doing this. We have a fantastic regulatory system, as I alluded to. Why not take advantage of that? Investors have a sense of that as well. A number of other factors will go into deciding whether or not something is commercially viable, but actually getting that out there and selling it will bring back enormous economic value.
There's a reason that all these other nations are running very quickly to set up biotechnology blueprints to support their domestic industries. It's because they all recognize the enormous economic value to their countries and to their populations of bringing those innovations to their own populations.
Conservative
Bev Shipley Conservative Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON
It was a Canadian product, Mr. Conley, and Canadian university development. You mentioned filling the protein gap. Just quickly, what advantage is the AquAdvantage salmon to the consumer, and how will you do that for not only domestic but also international markets?
Director, Corporate Communications, AquaBounty Technologies, Inc.
I think the advantage of this technology to the consumer is that it can bring more fish to market quicker. In standard genetics, to quote a Norwegian genetics scientist, to double the growth rate of an Atlantic salmon takes approximately six generations of four years. That's 24 years. AquAdvantage did it in two. That's a tremendous improvement over our ability to rapidly produce food in a world that is becoming highly unpredictable due to global warming and climate change.
In terms of the application of the technology to meet those demands, the market will demand food, and the fastest way we can produce it, I think, is the way we want to go.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Pat Finnigan
Thank you. That will complete our questioning.
Mr. Casey and Mr. Conley, thank you for appearing. It was very informative, as were your different views on the subject.
That will conclude our session. When the committee meets on Thursday, the first 45 minutes will be subcommittee. Following that, the main committee will meet, and we'll have one hour of APF witnesses.
Is that okay? We're all good?
Thank you. The meeting is adjourned.