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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

2 statements

Jeremy Patzer

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?

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Heath MacDonald

Liberal

Linked statement

“Work at the research station is continuing as usual. Agricultural research is important to Canada, and our more than 17 research stations will stay open.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I think the hon. member across the way knows exactly what took place at the research station relevant to the organic growth. They are plowing the fields and working the land, as they do every other year, and they will continue to do that. Research is important in this country. We have been doing it for 140 years. We have over 17 stations that will remain open, and we will continue to grow our research in Canada.

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