Ottawa – Conservative M.P Bev Shipley’s Private Member’s Motion, (M460) was adopted by the House of Commons last Friday.  Shipley’s motion calls upon the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, (CFIA) and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) to use equivalent scientific research and agricultural regulatory approval processes of Canada’s trading partners, particularly in the United States for licensing products used in Canada.

“What I am requesting through my motion, and what Parliament approved, is that we consider a parallel licensing process using equivalent scientific research and agricultural regulatory approval processes of other trading nations, provided that the results are consistent with Canadian standards,” said Shipley, adding, “If we can’t get that, then we need to stop imports coming into Canada that contain these same products. This is an issue of fairness. Canadian farmers need access to the same products and production tools used by their competitors, especially in the United States.”

Shipley says Canadian agriculture producers are at a competitive disadvantage with its trading partners who are able to use commercial agricultural products, pesticides and veterinary medicines in the production of food and livestock which are not available in Canada. This, despite the fact these same products are used or contained in imports coming into Canada and are sitting on Canadian grocery shelves in direct competition with Canadian food products. Shipley says stakeholders agree that adoption of his motion will create greater fairness for Canadian farmers.

Shipley acknowledged his motion received enough opposition support to pass, but said he was disappointed at the lack of support from the NDP and the Bloc Quebecois.  “This was yet another opportunity the opposition missed to show their support to the agriculture community.” Shipley noted that he arranged two information sessions prior to his motion’s introduction but the NDP and the Bloc chose not to attend.

Shipley says he is now encouraging individual producers, farm organizations and manufacturers of agriculture products to contact him as soon as possible with their input as to how the changes expressed in the motion can move forward.  “In supporting my motion, Parliament has expressed its will,” said Shipley.  “However in terms of how and when the actual changes are implemented, I will need the ongoing support of stakeholders and so I am anxious to hear what they have to say.”

Shipley said anyone wanting to do so, should contact his office as soon as possible.