Agriculture and Agri-Food

In question period on agriculture, Conservative MP Jeremy Patzer asked the minister to explain why test plots at Canada’s federal organic research station in Swift Current were reportedly ploughed under, which he said destroyed years of research in an $11-billion organic farming industry. Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald replied that the field work is routine and done every year, that research is important to the country, and that Canada’s more than 17 research stations will remain open.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text (opens in a new tab)

1 statement

Jeremy Patzer, Swift Current—Grasslands—Kindersley

Conservative
“The government plowed under research fields at the organic research station in Swift Current, destroying years of research. Organic farming is an 11-billion-dollar industry in Canada. I want the minister to explain why he is destroying this research.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I heard from several farmers and local media that test plots at Canada’s only federal organic research station at Swift Current were ploughed under and receded, destroying years of valuable research. The minister will probably stand up and say, “this is just a usual organics process” and “ignore the data loss,” but really, this is the Liberals’ weak attempt at responding to the massive push-back from farmers and industry. The Liberal agriculture minister said that shutting federal research centres was worthwhile, but organic farming in Canada is an $11-billion industry and growing. Does the minister really want his legacy to be destroying organic research in Canada?

Discussion

No comments yet

See the full discussion

Comment rules

More from sitting 132

  1. Government Orders Build Canada Homes Act 34 statements
  2. Government Orders Government Orders 39 statements
  3. Oral Questions Rail Transportation 4 statements
  4. Oral Questions The Economy 7 statements
  5. Oral Questions Canadian Identity and Culture 6 statements
  6. Oral Questions The Economy 15 statements
  7. Oral Questions Oil and Gas Industry 4 statements
  8. Oral Questions The Economy 4 statements
  9. Oral Questions Steel and Aluminum Industry 4 statements
  10. Oral Questions International Trade 2 statements
  11. Oral Questions The Economy 10 statements
  12. Oral Questions Diversity and Inclusion 2 statements
  13. Oral Questions Public Safety 9 statements
  14. Oral Questions The Economy 2 statements
  15. Oral Questions Agriculture and Agri-Food 2 statements
  16. Oral Questions International Trade 2 statements
  17. Oral Questions Health 2 statements
  18. Oral Questions Employment 8 statements
  19. Government Orders Build Canada Homes Act 45 statements
  20. Private Members' Business Corrections and Conditional Release Act 7 statements
  21. Government Orders Build Canada Homes Act 59 statements
  22. Government Orders Protecting Victims Act 106 statements
  23. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements