These comments are direct quotations from the Hansard
documents.
Plum Pox Virus
Mr.
Gary Pillitteri (Niagara Falls, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, the plum pox virus
is a serious plant disease that threatens the tender fruit growing,
processing and nursery industry in parts of Canada.
Could the Minister of Agriculture tell us what efforts the government is
taking to eliminate the virus from Canada?
Hon. Bob Speller (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.): Mr.
Speaker, the plum pox is a very serious disease for the tender fruit
processing and nursery industry across the country. That is why I was
pleased today to announce, with the member for Niagara Falls and the
member for Erie—Lincoln, a contribution by the Government of Canada of
some $80 million to help eradicate the virus.
The Government of Canada takes very seriously its responsibilities to
eradicate viruses such as that and will continue to work with the
provinces of Ontario and Nova Scotia to do exactly that.
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