Agriculture Committee on Feb. 21st, 2017

[Frédéric Seppey]

This is not a concern that we hear in terms of transportation per se.

In the past, more than 20 years ago, we had some elements in connection with the Canadian Wheat Board and the grain transportation system in western Canada. These measures have been phased out. However, we continue to have logistical issues in terms of geography in western Canada, especially in exporting grains, in terms of the competition with other commodities that are dependent on being exported through our few ports on the west coast.

This is an initiative that Minister Garneau is trying to address in the transportation portfolio, and the Minister of Agriculture is closely involved, given the significance of the issue for the crop sector in Canada.

[Lloyd Longfield, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

Yes, where I was going with that was the Canadian Grain Commission and the impacts there.

Could I share some of my time with my good friend Mr. Peschisolido?

[Joe Peschisolido, Liberal, Steveston—Richmond East, BC]

To follow up on Mr. Longfield's point, the sense I'm getting from this conversation is that we will always have non-tariff measures or barriers, because if we don't, we're going to live like the Japanese, the Koreans, the French, or the Chinese.

Probably they don't want to do that and we don't want to do that, because we have separate societies, so we're always managing and trying to set rules that reflect our values and principles but also our interests.

Are there new countries that...? I know you guys implement and you don't develop policy, but countries such as Argentina or Brazil have huge agricultural markets where there can also be some integration. Is that a possibility? We always talk about the same places, right?

[Frédéric Seppey]

Actually, the point you're making is a very valid one. Argentina has many characteristics in common with Canada. It's largely an exporter and has a surplus of agricultural production. We are working with countries like Argentina to promote international standards or to promote the idea that if a country doesn't have a regulation on maximum residual levels, for example, instead of starting from scratch and inventing new levels, can they follow international standards? Can they adopt something that a country like Canada, with a lot of experience, has adopted?

That's why our involvement in international standard-setting bodies, in regulatory co-operation, and in sharing our experience with foreign regulatory agencies is so important.

[The Chair, Liberal, Pat Finnigan]

Thank you, Mr. Seppey.

We're getting close to the end of the session, and I want to save a couple of minutes to approve the budget for this study.

However, Mr. Shipley, I'll allow you a very short one.

[Bev Shipley, Conservative, Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON]

I have a quick one. You talked about the global low-level presence initiative that started, I think, around 2013. There are 15 countries. What is the status of it? How do you expand that, or are we expanding it, or getting close to addressing that with our trading partners?

[Frédéric Seppey]

We have had four meetings on the initiative so far. The last one took place last year in Italy. We are planning for the next meeting to take place later this spring, hopefully.

The 15 members are countries that share the same interests in terms of addressing that issue, and it's largely export, mainly grains and oilseeds exporters. We have a tradition in this group of always inviting observers from large importing countries such as the European Union, Japan, or China. Our focus is largely on maintaining that dialogue, because if there's a country or an entity that we need to convince, it is a market like the European Union. We are very much focusing on continuing our dialogue to make sure that they understand our perspective and why it's also important from their perspective to address this issue.

[Bev Shipley, Conservative, Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON]

Is there a chance that the initiative on maximum residue limits will be discussed on a larger basis with a number of our trade countries?

[Frédéric Seppey]

We are exploring, by working closely with our industry sectors, ways to advance the work internationally on maximum residue levels. A number of countries share our interests, such as the United States and the large agriculture exporting countries, so yes, we are definitely doing the maximum to advance these issues internationally.

[The Chair, Liberal, Pat Finnigan]

Mr. Shipley—

[Bev Shipley, Conservative, Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON]

Actually, I think it carries about the same significance.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Pat Finnigan]

Thank you, Mr. Shipley.

I just want to thank the panel for appearing today. It was very informative and it opens our eyes as to how complicated trade can be, especially internationally.

Thank you very much to all three of you, Ms. Melia, Mr. Seppey, and Mr. Mayers, for appearing in front of us today. Thank you.

Committee, I think you all have received a copy of the budget for this study. Basically it's standard procedure. I don't know if there are any questions on the budget that's proposed.

[Bev Shipley, Conservative, Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON]

That's just general, right?

[The Chair, Liberal, Pat Finnigan]

Yes, it's just general.

Shall we adopt the budget?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Pat Finnigan]

That will conclude our meeting for today. Thank you very much, and see you Thursday.

The meeting is adjourned.