These comments are direct quotations from the Hansard
documents.
Cut Flowers
Mr.
Dean Allison (Niagara West—Glanbrook, CPC): Mr. Speaker, as I have
made the Minister of Agriculture and the House aware, the greenhouse
industry in my riding and around Canada was jeopardized this fall as a
result of inspection issues caused by border delays. I have advised the
minister, on behalf of the greenhouse industry, that a preclearance
program for cut flowers is imperative for the survival of this industry in
the future.
I acknowledge the government has announced funding for this program.
However, this announcement is lacking in detail. Why has the government
failed to deliver precise timelines for the implementation of this
program?
Hon. Andy Mitchell (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member says, it is an important industry, part of
the overall agricultural industry. Its ability to export is critical. That
is why we have been moving with initiatives in that respect. We will
ensure that we put them in place as expeditiously as we possibly can.
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