Evidence of meeting #34 for Agriculture and Agri-Food in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was waste.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative John Barlow
I'm going to use that charity right now, if you'll indulge me.
Ms. Nikkel, I appreciate the comment you had that it doesn't mean “bad after”. I certainly remember as a kid picking mould off cheese and bread and still eating it. My kids won't do that anymore.
You mentioned transportation. We've heard that a lot from many other witnesses. What are your obstacles to transportation? Is it cost? Is it labour? Perhaps you could expand on that.
Chief Executive Officer, Second Harvest
It's cost. It's cost of transportation, really, and just having access to it. We work with rail, sealift, planes and trucks. It's the cost. We always pull it together and figure it out, but with perishable food, there's not a lot of life left in it. It doesn't sit in a warehouse very long. It's a very quick turnover.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative John Barlow
Carbon taxes on transportation could have an impact on your ability, so....
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative John Barlow
I'm sorry, Ryan. I had to.
I have a question for Mr. Halstead too.
You mentioned the misinformation out there about the fertilizer emissions reductions. What difference would this have made to your industry, as agriculture producers, had the government had these discussions and consultations with you before announcing the policy? Would they have had a better understanding that you're 70% more efficient in fertilizer use than other countries, as an example?
Board Chair, Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission
We are trying to be efficient all the time, and it's because of the cost too. Just because there's a consultation doesn't mean we wouldn't stop trying to be efficient. Fertilizer is expensive, but it's very much needed to grow our crops. As was mentioned in the previous presentations, it's the fuel for our crops. We convert that. Our plants use the carbon and sequester it in the soil.
There just needs to be greater recognition of what producers are already doing. We're going to continue to try to do things better. There are new technologies just starting to be used, in mapping and variable rates, that will help us be somewhat more efficient, but there are limited things you can do. If your costs rise, then it also affects your sustainability. If I'm profitable, I can work on being more sustainable. If I'm not profitable, it's hard to work on being sustainable.
Board Chair, Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission
It's survival. I'm sorry.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative John Barlow
Thanks, everybody, for your testimony today, including Ms. Citeau. On the importance of Canadian exports to global food security, obviously it plays a critical role as well. Thank you very much for your testimony.
To my colleagues, thanks very much.
I will now welcome a motion to adjourn.
Conservative
