Recommendation 1.1:

The Committee recommends that the Minister of Agriculture and  Agri-Food ensures that the Market Access Secretariat continues its effort to resolve technical non-tariff barriers erected by foreign jurisdictions against Canadian products.

Recommendation 1.2:

The Committee recommends that the Market Access Secretariat pursue a strategy of enhancing the value of all animal and plant products to maximize the benefits of improved access for Canadian products.

Recommendation 1.3:

The Committee recommends that Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada develop as promptly as possible a national strategy aimed at establishing an age verification system, in order to harmonize the various provincial systems without weakening those already in place, and put Canadian agri-food products in a better position to access foreign markets, and that this cost not be borne exclusively by farmers.

Recommendation 1.4:

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada create in advance a list of South Korean goods that would be subject to retaliatory trade measures if the WTO special group rules in favour of Canada in this matter. The goods should be targeted in such a way as to maximize the economic consequences for South Korea.

Recommendation 1.5:

The Committee recommends that the Minister of International Trade convey to Russia his strong disapproval of the protectionist measures that it has taken to reduce imports of agricultural machinery.

Recommendation 1.6:

The Committee recommends that the government assess COOL’s impact on the North American red meat industry, and in particular that it gather evidence to determine whether companies that would normally have bought Canadian products are actually still buying beef and pork in compliance with the voluntary requirements and the Final Rule.

Recommendation 1.7:

The Committee recommends that Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada propose a program to fund farm-level market development initiatives, such as a livestock age verification system for one example, in a way that is fully compatible with the criteria of the WTO’s “green box” category.

Recommendation 1.8:

The Committee recommends that the federal government undertake immediately a study of the impact that captive supply has on live animal prices in the Canadian beef sector. The results of the study shall be presented before the Committee by representatives of the Department by the first of October 2010.

Recommendation 1.9:

The Committee recommends that the $50 million earmarked for strengthening packing capacity in Canada be spent:

• in the form of direct investments and repayable loans;
• to improve the efficiency of existing packing infrastructure and help some companies focus on specialized niches.

Recommendation 1.10:

The Committee recommends that Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada modify the AgriMarketing Program so that initiatives to grow the domestic market for Canadian products be eligible.

Recommendation 1.11:

The Committee recommends that the Canadian Wheat Board increase the maximum amounts permitted under the Field to Plate program.

Recommendation 2.1:

The Committee recommends that the Competition Bureau clarify its position regarding the role that price levels play in its assessment of the degree of competition in a given market. The response should be provided in the form of a written report to the Committee.

Recommendation 2.2:

The Committee recommends that Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in cooperation with the Competition Bureau undertake a study to explore competition issues affecting the agricultural sector in the 21^st century and the appropriate role for competition and regulatory enforcement in that sector. The study will address the dynamics of competition in agriculture markets, including, among other issues, buyer power and vertical integration. The study should also include an examination of the impact of agricultural concentration on food costs, the effect of agricultural regulations and statutes or other applicable laws and programs on competition, which relate to patent and intellectual property affecting agricultural marketing or production and market practices such as price spreads, forward contracts, packer ownership of livestock before slaughter, market transparency and increasing retailer concentration.

Recommendation 2.3:

The Committee recommends that the Competition Bureau, as part of its study of the fertilizer industry’s pricing and marketing practices, thoroughly examine the level of competition that led to the potash prices observed in the first half of 2009.

Recommendation 2.4:

The Committee recommends that the Competition Bureau, in its role of ensuring that small and medium-sized enterprises have an equitable opportunity to participate in the Canadian economy, study the impact of the discounts-for-shelf-space practices and of loyalty agreements in the food distribution industry, and the legality of eliminating those practices.

Recommendation 2.5:

The Committee recommends that the federal government conduct a feasibility study, in the form of a cost-benefit analysis, of the possibility of providing incentives for the establishment of two new food terminals in Canada. The analysis should include the long-term positive impact on the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in Canada’s agri-food sector.

Recommendation 2.6:

The Committee recommends that the Competition Bureau continue to monitor the beef-processing market closely in connection with the implementation of mandatory country-of-origin labelling in the United States. The Committee also recommends that the Bureau take action when there will be indications that the competition provided by American packers in the Canadian livestock market is weakening.

Recommendation 3.1:

The Committee recommends that the government carry out a comprehensive review of its scientific capacity and realign and/or increase its resources with the needs and gaps identified by the research action plan being implemented as part of Growing Forward.

Recommendation 3.2:

The Committee recommends that the government revise its intellectual property protection policy with respect to plant breeding and prepare a legislative action plan to introduce this revised policy, which should also consider the farmers’ ability to save their own seeds.

Recommendation 3.3:

The Committee recommends that the government renew and expand Canada’s system of publicly-funded plant breeding and variety development, and ensure that breeding and development be carried out in cooperation with publicly-owned research stations and universities.

Recommendation 3.4:

The Committee recommends that the government introduce a new variety registration system and work with the variety recommending committees to make the selection criteria more flexible.

Recommendation 3.5:

The Committee recommends that the government follow up on the report entitled The National Commercialization Assessment: Taking Commercialization National and develop, with the provinces’ agreement, a national commercialization expansion program and a national agri-technology commercialization funding vehicle.

Recommendation 4.1:

The Committee recommends that the government provide financial compensation to the beef industry for the additional cost arising from the disposal of specified risk materials caused by the Canadian regulations on animal health, and monitor this program to ensure it is effective.

Recommendation 4.2:

The Committee recommends that the CFIA’s policy on meat inspection fees be revised to eliminate billing for inspections during normal working hours.

Recommendation 4.3:

The Committee recommends that the government undertake a study into the level to which imported agricultural products do not meet the same standards required of Canadian producers and provide recommendations, which can be implemented to resolve this matter and that the report be submitted to the Committee.

Recommendation 4.4:

The Committee recommends that the regulations on approval of generic pesticides allow for the immediate marketing of generic products as soon as the required PMRA scientific review has been completed.

Recommendation 4.5:

The Committee recommends that the government introduce a policy of systematic evaluation of the effects of all labelling and food safety regulations, new or in force, on the competitiveness of Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector, and take action to expedite the timeliness of the approval process without undermining the integrity of the system.

Recommendation 4.6:

The Committee recommends that the government maintain the 98% rule for Canadian content, but exclude, from this percentage, ingredients, such as spices and sugar, that are not grown in Canada.

Recommendation 4.7

The Committee recommends that the federal government continue to maintain supply management and its three pillars—producer pricing, import controls and production discipline—as an integral business risk management program in Canada, and that market access for Canada’s agricultural exporters is strengthened so that all sectors can continue to provide producers with a fair and equitable income.

Recommendation 4.8:

The Committee recommends that the government update its capital cost allowance schedule for new farm equipment purchases, as proposed by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers and the North American Equipment Dealers Association.

Recommendation 4.9:

The Committee recommends that the government follow up promptly on the conclusions of the study on levels of service in rail transport of grain currently being conducted by Transport Canada.

Recommendation 4.10:

The Committee recommends that the government establish a program similar to the Marine Security Contribution Program to assist Canadian agricultural retailers financially in implementing an integrated security plan and averting the potential threat of the use of fertilizers and pesticides for criminal purposes.