Agriculture committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Two questions in one day is not too bad. Thank you so much for being here, folks. We've been reassured by the minister that there's no concern with regard to saving seed. There has been some discussion, and I'm not quite clear on this in my own mind, between saving and stocking.

Agriculture committee  Now stocking and storing are synonymous things for the purposes of this bill.

Agriculture committee  Thank you. My second question obviously reflects other concerns. I know some have been addressed, but I'd like your take on this. We talked about the differences between 78 and 91. You brought out some positive aspects of UPOV 91. There are some concerns. The National Farmers Union has some; others have some.

Agriculture committee  Does the breeder have the right to charge royalties as well? Obviously, he does.

Agriculture committee  Thanks, Minister. You talked about the farmer's ability to save seed. I'm still not clear, so I'd just like some clarification. For example, when storing the saved seed, does the farmer need the permission of the holder of the plant breeders' rights?

Agriculture committee  Would this bill also empower the government to remove, restrict, or limit the farmer's seed-saving privilege by passing regulations, something that can happen quickly and without public debate? I think this is one concern that some people have.

Agriculture committee  Thank you, Mr. Atamanenko. Now we'll go to Mr. Hoback, for five minutes please.

Agriculture committee  Thank you, Mr. Dreeshen. We will go to Mr. Atamanenko for five minutes, please.

Agriculture committee  It's just like old times, Minister. It's good to see you here.

Agriculture committee  Thanks for being here. Many have a concern about this bill. Certainly, as you're aware, the National Farmers Union is one of them. They've done extensive research and have flagged certain areas. I'd like you to comment on some of their concerns, because obviously, all of us here want to ensure that the interests of farmers prevail when we introduce legislation.

Agriculture committee  I will be holding each of you as close to that five minutes as I can. I want to welcome everyone, and the return of Alex Atamanenko. Thank you, Alex, for sitting in on the committee today. In the first round, Madame Brosseau, for five minutes, please.

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions. The first one is from the citizens of the Langley area of British Columbia who believe the current impaired driving laws are too lenient. They would like the Criminal Code to be changed to redefine the offence of impaired driving causing death to vehicular manslaughter.

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, the second petition is from over 300 constituents in the Kootenay Boundary area who call upon Parliament to refrain from making any changes to the Seeds Act or the Plant Breeders' Rights Act through Bill C-18. They call upon Parliament to enshrine in legislation the inalienable rights of farmers and other Canadians to save, reuse, select, exchange and sell seeds.

Iraq  Mr. Speaker, the tragedy continues to unfold in Iraq. The Bush invasion of 2003 has left a toll of hundreds of thousands dead, millions of people displaced and infrastructure destroyed. According to an editorial in the Chicago Tribune, if Bush and the neo-conservatives had not pushed to topple Saddam, the Islamic State would not have been born.

Safeguarding Canada's Seas and Skies Act  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question. First, I must say that I have visited that region. My colleagues and I went there two years ago at the invitation of our friend and colleague from Skeena—Bulkley Valley, who wanted us to see exactly what was happening and what it was all about.