My Speeches

Bill 43 Marketing of Agricultural Products Amendment Act, 2009 (No. 2)

Posted on Apr 28, 2009

The Speaker: The hon. Member for Battle River-Wainwright. Bill 43
Marketing of Agricultural Products
Amendment Act, 2009 (No. 2)

Mr. Griffiths: Mr. Speaker, thank you. I rise today to request leave
to introduce Bill 43, the Marketing of Agricultural Products
Amendment Act, 2009 (No. 2).
These amendments support freedomofchoice, Mr. Speaker. They
support giving individual producers the right to decide how their
hard-earned money is spent. Under the amended act producers in
four commodity groups – beef, pork, sheep and lamb, and potato
growers – will be able to request refunds on the service fees they pay
to agricultural commissions that represent them. These proposed
changes are about the viability of the agricultural industry. They’re
about ensuring that commissions are responsive to the needs and
wishes of their members. This act will bring uniformity of regulation
to all 13 boards and commissions that do not set prices or
function as marketing boards.
I look forward to the debate and discussion on this bill. Thank
you, Mr. Speaker.

[Motion carried; Bill 43 read a first time]