Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak on Bill C-61 which is before the House this afternoon. I wish to add my voice to supporting Bill C-61, an act to establish a system of administrative monetary penalties for the enforcement of the Canada Agricultural Products Act, the Feeds Act, the Fertilizers Act, the Health of Animals Act, the Meat Inspection Act, the Pest Control Products Act, the Plant Protection Act and the Seeds Act.
I think we are all aware of the purpose of the acts, but for those of you without agricultural backgrounds let me share with you how important they are for a poultry producer who farms near Holstein, Ontario.
The Seeds Act ensures that the seed I buy to grow feed for my chickens conforms to the prescribed standards, marked and packed and packaged labelled as required. The western growers would know what tombstone would mean to wheat production if it were able to get farther into the seed system than what it is right now.
The Health of Animals Act helps to ensure that my flock will be disease free. Within the poultry industry there is a disease called ILT, infectious laryngotracheitis. Try saying that three times. It is something that a producer would look at losing 70 per cent to 80 per cent of his flock of chickens which would be economic disaster.
The Plant Protection Act provides for the prevention of pests injurious to plant life in agriculture and forestry sectors. I think we all remember back to Ontario and the outbreak of elm disease and all the trees that had to be destroyed because of that.
The Feeds Act ensures that no person will manufacture, sell or import into Canada any feed that may adversely affect animal or
human health. In that situation with all the animal feeds we have right now which are very highly mixed, with computer technology, farmers are aware of how micro toxins can adversely affect the health of their livestock.
The Fertilizers Act provides that any fertilizer when utilized in accordance with directions does not contain destructive ingredients.
Finally, the Pest Control Act regulates the products used for the control of pests and organic functions of animals and plants.
As can be readily seen, the operation of my farm and its success depends as much on my ability as manager as it depends on the federally enforced standards and also supply management in my case. Without these standards and the enforcement of these standards, Canadian agriculture would be unable to compete in the global marketplace. Unable to guarantee quality, domestic and foreign markets would soon disappear.
As colleagues have noted this bill does more than impose monetary penalties. It authorizes the minister, if requested to do so, to conclude compliance agreements with individuals who commit violations. Under these compliance agreements administrative monetary penalties can be reduced or cancelled if persons agree to make appropriate corrective action to comply with the agri-food acts and regulations.
Notwithstanding the ability to assess monetary penalties the bill also provides for an independent tribunal to review such penalties in keeping with the government's belief in due process. It is important to protect the integrity of Canadian agriculture and agri-food products. This bill will strengthen the concept and the quality that is central to the Canadian agri-food industry.
I will give an example. This is probably a question that my hon. colleagues on the other side of the House would want to know. How many administrative monetary penalties does the department expect to issue this year? The estimate is that the food production and inspection branch will issue approximately 350 notices of violations. Currently it will probably prosecute 220 of these offences. We will currently and after this be able to issue administrative monetary penalties for all but a few of these offences.
As this system is more effective and efficient than prosecuting in the courts we will be able to increase our enforcement activities. In addition to the 350 notices of violations we will probably issue approximately 1,200 tickets at the ports of entry. These tickets will be issued for high risk violations by the public who try to illegally bring in meat or meat products or plants or plant products at the airports.
This problem is a serious one because of the possibility of introducing plant or animal diseases into Canada as I have previously stated.
As colleagues have noted this bill will help to reinforce the many unique things that we do in Canada which will ensure that everything from the seeds that we grow to the food that is on our table is the very best. That is what the Canadian consumer has come to expect from Agriculture Canada. This bill will affirm that quality will continue to be the foundation of Canada's agri-food strategy.
It is important to note that while classifying each infraction as a minor violation or as a serious violation or as a very serious violation with the accompanying escalation in monetary penalties imposed, it should be remembered that nothing in the bill precludes the minister from seeking greater penalties by proceeding with the infraction as an indictable or summary offence before the courts rather than as a violation. At present the department only prosecutes serious non-compliance with 90 per cent of the penalties not going to hearings.
The industry wants the importers to comply with the high domestic standards we have, thereby giving them a level playing field to compete on. However, it is important to reiterate that not only is there an appeal mechanism in place when the person is judged in the violation, we also have the opportunity of overturning such penalties that have been imposed.
Where the minister is satisfied that a person who has entered into a compliance agreement has complied with the said agreement, any security given under the compliance agreed by the person shall be returned.
This ability to pursue through the courts those judged to be in flagrant violation of the aforementioned acts, while treating with compassion those who comply, is one of the strengths of this legislation. The element of fairness that gives this bill its greatest strength is the balance. We all want compliance, not punishment, so the integrity of the agri-food industry is without question. The bill would give us the opportunity to maintain these standards of quality.
I would like to commend the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food for his leadership. The bill typifies the way the government deals with issues. With the support and assistance of the industries being regulated, the government has proposed effective changes intended to improve the operating and administrative efficiencies relating to the enforcement of the agri-food industry standards.
Taken together, the amendments to the various acts offer Canadians a comprehensive package of measures that support efforts to ensure the quality and safety of agri-food products here in Canada and around the world. For these reasons I most
heartily encourage the members of the House to support this bill.
