Natural Resources committee  On that subject, I'd like to mention that these are perennial crops, crops that require few inputs. This is very promising from an environmental standpoint. The perennial crop, switch grass, grows on its own. It will be planted there for 10 years or more. This is very positive en

Natural Resources committee  We have to put in place all the links in this chain, production, processing and consumption. We need incentives enabling farmers to convert to these crops because they aren't eligible. They aren't like grains or hay. We know of no agricultural financial support program for these

Natural Resources committee  It was a lengthy process of reflection. I've been an agronomist in this area for 20 years. My analysis is horizontal, but we have observed an increase in the amount of fallow land. Also, with regard to farmers, it has to be said that they are 50 years old on average, that there a

Natural Resources committee  I have to say I am supported by 100 producers. They support me. I've put in the time, in the past few years, in meetings, and I've put the energy into it. Of course, we had some producers convinced. Among others, one producer was convinced that he had to go into the energy field

Natural Resources committee  Access for small groups, above all, is what poses a problem. We are small groups and we act locally. For us, it's really access that's lacking. In the past few years, we've been working and we've found nothing to support us, even with this program. It's probably because we're sma

Natural Resources committee  Thank you. Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen. Good morning. I am Lise Dubé, agronomist, and this is Valérie Patoine, forest engineer. First, we want to thank you for inviting us to present our ecoenergy development project to you. Three Témiscouata organizations, the Coopérati