Evidence of meeting #6 for Fisheries and Oceans in the 40th Parliament, 3rd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was information.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Director General, Fisheries Renewal, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
I think you'd have to consult a lawyer on that one, and whether it's not defamation, at the end of the day.
Conservative
John Weston Conservative West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC
All right.
With that happy thought, let me share my time with Mr. Allen.
Conservative
Mike Allen Conservative Tobique—Mactaquac, NB
I have a question not nearly that deep, I don't think.
Conservative
Mike Allen Conservative Tobique—Mactaquac, NB
This is on the chain of custody and the traceability side. You talked about its link to the use of eco-labels. One of the processes I'm familiar with--and I'm sure Mr. MacAulay is as well--is that when McCain's, for example, has a french fry, they take it all the way back, through the storage and right into the field, if they end up with a problem.
Are we envisioning that's the kind of thing in the supply chain here where this could end up going? I could see it for aquaculture, because you could really trace it down to the fish farm where it came from. But with this whole eco-label, do you see that happening as part of this chain of custody and traceability?
Director General, Fisheries Renewal, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
It's important to make a distinction between tracking and tracing for the eco-labelling and one for the European Union requirement.
The tracking and tracing for eco-labelling is a requirement if you want to use the organization's label. For MSC, if you go through the process, you get your certificate for sustainability, and you want to use that little fish that they have on your products.
You have to have your chain of custody certified. I don't believe they go beyond the plant, but you have to demonstrate that the product comes from the fishery that was certified, and most plants can do that through sales slips.
On the European Union requirement, however, from a legality perspective, they do require us to go to a group of vessels--not individual vessels, but a group of vessels. But I think the future lies in being able to do the individual vessels.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rodney Weston
Thank you very much, Madam Bouffard, for coming today to appear before our committee. We really do appreciate you taking the time.
On behalf of the entire committee, thank you very much.
Director General, Fisheries Renewal, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Thank you for having me.
Conservative
Liberal
Gerry Byrne Liberal Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte, NL
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to give the committee notice--I've deposited it with the clerk--of the following motion:
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108 (2), the House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans study current and past management plans for the crab fishery in areas 23 and 24 as well as related licensing decisions, and call to appear the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans with the appropriate departmental officials, Mr. Tim Rhyno, a crab license holder, and representatives of corporate, traditional and aboriginal fleets; that the Committee allocate no more than five meetings to hear witnesses on this issue, and then report to the House on its findings and conclusions.
That will be circulated in both official languages.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rodney Weston
Thank you.
Seeing no further business, I declare this meeting adjourned.