Hon. Robert Black: Honourable senators, a significant portion of my time as a senator has been dedicated to “AGvocating” for the interests of farmers, processors and producers throughout the country.

Over the past several months, I have spoken with many passionate farmers, producers and advocacy groups about concerns over the ongoing negotiations regarding the U.K.’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP. I share their concerns. With accession to the CPTPP, the United Kingdom will have unprecedented access to Canadian markets for pork and beef, while Canadian producers will be unable to send our high-quality products to the British markets. As a trading nation, this sets an unfair advantage for foreign markets. While the U.K. engages in some level of trade protectionism to control its domestic markets, Canada is putting its valuable food systems at risk by allowing foreign products to enter our market at an unfair disadvantage for our farmers. Equal opportunity is crucial for our producers to continue to export their products.

The Canadian Cattle Association and the Canadian Pork Council, as well as the Canadian Meat Council, have actively spoken about the implications that the U.K.’s accession without renegotiation will bring, and the falsehoods being adopted to justify non-tariff barriers to U.K. markets. Their main concern, colleagues, is the failure to accept Canada’s meat inspection system, which is widely recognized around the world as one of the finest. The U.K. does not accept Canada’s food safety and animal health systems and measures, and those non-tariff barriers limit access to the U.K. market. In addition, there is a lack of reciprocal tariff measures, which have allowed British beef and pork full access to the Canadian market without full reciprocity.

I urge my colleagues and the government to consider the implications created by the U.K.’s accession. I believe it is high time we address the non-tariff barriers that restrict global access to our high-quality food products. Canada continues to work diligently to put food on our plates — not just here at home, but around the world as well — and we must continue to protect our valuable food systems.

Thank you. Meegwetch.

[Translation]

Hon. Robert Black: My question today is for the Government Representative in the Senate.

Senator Gold, I continue to be concerned about many ongoing issues that continue to create undue hardship in the agricultural sector. Recently, I met with Green Energy Trading Corporation to learn more about their attempts to positively impact sustainability efforts through the conversion of on-farm organic waste to renewable natural gas. That occurs using biodigesters, which are proven to be effective in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the reduction of reliance on commercial fertilizers. Moreover, digesters create additional revenue, improve manure management and increase overall soil health.

Unfortunately, biodigesters are very costly, and, as we’ve heard in the Agriculture and Forestry Committee meetings, purchasing farm equipment is a multi-year investment. New sustainable innovations are not always feasible options, especially for small-scale farm operations, and the issue is that dairy farmers can’t secure financial loans to install biodigesters without using their farmland as equity. This creates yet another barrier to participate in sustainable agriculture programs and diversify their operations. Yet credits are not being extended to those who are actively trying to work on alternative solutions to help Canada meet our climate change goals.

Senator Gold, my question to you is this: Instead of taxing this important industry, will your government extend the clean technology investment tax credit to Canadian farmers who are actively trying to work on viable alternatives, such as biodigesters, to help Canada meet our climate change targets? Thank you.

Hon. Robert Black, pursuant to notice of September 27, 2023, moved:

That, notwithstanding the order of the Senate adopted on Thursday, February 10, 2022, the date for the final report of the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry in relation to its study on such issues as may arise from time to time relating to agriculture and forestry be extended from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2025; and

That the committee be permitted, notwithstanding usual practices, to deposit reports on this study with the Clerk of the Senate if the Senate is not then sitting, and that the reports be deemed to have been tabled in the Senate.

Hon. Robert Black, pursuant to notice of September 20, 2023, moved:

That, notwithstanding the order of the Senate adopted on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, the date for the final report of the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry in relation to its study on the status of soil health in Canada be extended from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024; and

That the committee be permitted, notwithstanding usual practices, to deposit with the Clerk of the Senate its report relating to this study, if the Senate is not then sitting, and that the report be deemed to have been tabled in the Senate.