Ottawa - Lambton-Kent-Middlesex M.P. Bev Shipley has tabled a Private member’s motion (M-460) in the House of Commons and is aimed at levelling the playing field for Canadian Farmers.  Mr. Shipley’s motion received the first hour of debate in the House of Commons on March 12th.

Shipley’s motion seeks the support of the House of Commons to consider equivalent scientific research and agricultural regulatory approval processes of our other trading nations when licensing agriculture production management tools.  Shipley says this will help our Canadian Farmers to be more competitive by having access to seeds, pesticides, herbicides and veterinarian medications other nations currently can use, but that Canadian Farmers cannot. 



Shipley has consulted with many local producers as well as provincial and national agricultural organizations in preparing this motion.  “This motion will bring about meaningful change for farmers, and I’ve received a lot of support from my colleagues in the House of Commons who also want these changes brought about.”
 


“I have heard from many local farmers who say they are placed at a competitive disadvantage with their direct competitors, especially in the United States “said Shipley.  Many farmers of Canada’s trading partners are able to use commercial agricultural products that Canadian Farmers cannot.  Further, some of these products that are not available in Canada are being used on imported agri-food and livestock commodities. 



“I am requesting through my motion that we consider using the equivalent scientific research and agricultural regulatory approval processes of other trading nations, provided that product does not compromise, diminish or in any way modify Canadian standards. However, Shipley noted, “We simply do not need to reinvent the wheel every time a new product comes on the market, especially if the research has already been done and there isn’t any compromise on standards.”  Shipley said, “Canadian farmers need access to the same products and production management tools used by their competitors; we need to level the playing field here.

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Shipley says “Canadian departments and agencies insist that all products used in Canada must undergo our own research and evaluation processes.  Manufactures of agricultural products are reluctant to go through the time and expense of duplicating research and testing used as part of the regulatory and licensing process in the countries which produce them.”  Through research, Shipley has discovered that the Canadian market is simply not large enough to justify the time and expense of duplicating research and testing.   “Science is science whether it is conducted in the United States or in Canada,” said Shipley.  “Data does not change coming across the border.”

Joe Preston, Member of Parliament for Elgin-Middlesex-London stated “ I fully support  this Private Member’s Bill.  This has been an issue for many of my constituents and Canadian farmers. I have heard these exact words at kitchen tables throughout the riding. This is the right thing to do.”

The vote on Shipley’s Private Member’s motion is likely to be scheduled for mid April.