Agriculture committee  In Canada, organic agricultural products account for about 4% of the food market. The organic agriculture sector in Canada receives less than 0.2% of federal funding for production, research and innovation. Investment is needed in order to stimulate this expanding market, to stimulate consumer demand.

Agriculture committee  That is a broad question, but I will try to be brief. Consider for example neonicotinoid pesticides, which were introduced into the market to replace the use of organophosphorus in farming in Canada. The hope was that neonicotinoid pesticides would be less toxic than organophosphorus.

Agriculture committee  Quebec has had agricultural pesticide use reduction targets for decades. That is part of Quebec's phytosanitary strategy for agriculture for 2011-2021. The lesson learned in Quebec is that, without a bill, without funding and support programs, it is not possible to miraculously achieve the pesticide use reduction targets.

Agriculture committee  We make lots of specific recommendations to that effect in our document. We need to rethink many of the agricultural support programs that are currently in place that incentivize synthetic pesticide use in agriculture. I'll give you one example: crop insurance programs. You can only qualify for crop insurance if you demonstrate a certain level of agricultural inputs and if you grow a large-scale monoculture.

Agriculture committee  I wouldn't say that pesticides are a threat to Canadian agriculture. I said that overuse, extensive use, and over-dependence on synthetic pesticides, as the first tool to combat pests, are the problem when we know that we have beneficial management practices, integrated pest management, and organic practices that should be our first weapons in managing pests.

Agriculture committee  That's it for me. Thank you very much.

Agriculture committee  Good afternoon and thank you for inviting Équiterre to testify in your study on a food policy for Canada. This is the first time in Canada we have had a national discussion on the quality and the source of our food. Today, we want to talk to you about a threat to the sustainability of agriculture in Canada, a threat to the abundance and quality of the food we produce.

Agriculture committee  Under the Pest Control Products Act, the Minister of Health is responsible for determining whether the health and environmental risks associated with the use of a pesticide are acceptable. The decision-making process does not take into account whether another option is available.

Agriculture committee  As an environmental, not-for-profit organization, our only option to participate in the process is to submit comments in the public comment period. We are not considered one of the stakeholders that Mr. Hunter has referred to, who are consulted early on in the process. I can also tell you that many of the independent university researchers who have published or have studies on neonicotinoids are also not consulted up front in the process, nor are many other stakeholders from the agricultural sector.

Agriculture committee  Again, it's very specific to the crop and the environment and the conditions under which those treated seeds are used. The research I have referred to is specifically to soya and corn grown in Quebec, and there is also some very good research coming out of the U.S. EPA showing the same results as well.

Agriculture committee  Certainly. If you are interested in broadening the scope of your study, I encourage you to consult Quebec's environment ministry, but above all, it's agriculture ministry, and to take a good look at the province's agricultural crop health strategy. As I mentioned, it sets out tools and support for Quebec farmers looking to reduce their use of neonicotinoids, which are very expensive, by the way.

Agriculture committee  Yes, it is possible. In Quebec, in fact, the data shows that approximately 50% of corn and soybean crops are grown using treated seeds. That means 50% of seeds are not treated. As I said, further to its agricultural pesticide strategy for 2015-18, the Quebec government intends to provide incentives so that farmers can access untreated seeds.

Agriculture committee  Indeed, I do think that a number of stakeholders could make a significant contribution to your study. I mentioned some of them, including organic farmers who successfully grow field crops without pesticides. Other farming sectors in Canada have also implemented integrated pest management tools, without having to use neonicotinoids.

Agriculture committee  Yes. I would refer the committee to the studies done by Quebec's Centre de recherche sur les grains, notably Dr. Labrie's research. I have all the studies here. Researchers at the centre focused mainly on farm yields and the efficacy of neonicotinoid-treated soybean seeds in keeping pests away.

Agriculture committee  Certainly.