These comments are direct quotations from the Hansard
documents.
Biosafety Protocol
Hon.
Charles Caccia (Davenport, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, my question is for the
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. It concerns the biosafety protocol.
In view of the fact that Canada signed the biosafety protocol in the year
2001 but has not yet ratified it, could the Minister of Agriculture and
Agri-Food please tell us when Canada will finally ratify the biosafety
protocol?
Hon. Bob Speller (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.): Mr.
Speaker, the hon. member is aware that 45 countries have now ratified the
biosafety protocol. It takes 50 countries, in fact, to implement it.
The Government of Canada is presently consulting with stakeholders which
is very important. The hon. member knows there were concerns by
stakeholders. We are drawing up an action plan based on those
consultations.
I can assure the hon. member that we are on the path toward ratification;
however, first and foremost, we want to ensure that all stakeholders are
involved in that process.
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