Correction: In the Dec. 19 issue, we referred to Imme Gerke of the Pest
Management Regulatory agency as a minor use chemical adviser. She also
advises on biological controls for minor crops.
Pest Management Regulatory Agency executive director Claire Franklin
picked a bad day recently to stand up the House of Commons agriculture
committee.
It had summoned her to account for agency changes that many in the farm
sector and political circles consider inadequate.
Instead of appearing for her scheduled Parliament Hill date with MPs
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Nov. 19, she sent two senior PMRA staff members. She was too busy to
attend.
It turned out to be the wrong day to snub politicians who have been
taking heat from constituents over pesticide issues.
“I think Ms. Franklin should show respect for this committee and come,”
said southern Ontario Liberal MP Rose-Marie Ur, a strong PMRA critic.
“Maybe I’m wrong, maybe it’s the mood I’m in this morning … but I
don’t think people are taking us seriously on this.”
MPs on all sides agreed with her and refused to listen to the PMRA
staff present. They sent them back with a message for the boss.
“I know she may have good reasons but, as chair, I would suggest that
we take back to her the message that we are very busy people too,” said
committee chair Charles Hubbard.
Franklin was told to make herself available on the first possible day.
MPs want to ask why the government chose to ignore the committee
recommendation that two new positions be created for the agency – a
minor-use product adviser to report to the health department and an
overall PMRA ombudsperson reporting to Parliament.
Instead, the government created a single position – minor-use adviser
Imme Gerke – and put her in Franklin’s office, responsible to the head
of PMRA.
During the Nov. 19 meeting, Quebec apple grower Dean Thomson,
representing the Canadian Horticultural Council, told MPs that the PMRA
needs more staff, better communications and a better attitude. It
should speed up an audit of pest management that was supposed to happen
this year and now has been promised for next year.
It also needs the two positions recommended by the committee and the
industry, said the producer from St. Paul d’Abbotsford, Que.
“One of our key recommendations was the appointment of an ombudsperson
to oversee all the operations of the PMRA and act as a court of
appeal,” he said.
“We feel this appointment is essential to ensure that PMRA fulfils its
obligations.”
