(Return tabled) Question No. 152 Ms. Kirsty Duncan: With respect to the development of unconventional gas resources, including shale, tight and coal bed methane, and its possible impacts on the environment: (a) what, if any, research has the government undertaken regarding the development of unconventional gas resources, (i) what was the scope of this research in the areas of, but not limited to, air quality, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem impacts, economic impacts, occupational risks, public safety concerns, and seismic risks, (ii) what, if any, resources did the government provide for this research, (iii) what, if any, process was established to ensure the independence of the researchers, their research, and their findings, (iv) what, ...[+++]if any, case studies were considered as a part of this research, (v) what, if any, scenarios regarding the development of unconventional gas resources were developed as frameworks for the research, (vi) what economic, environmental and social impacts were identified by this research, (vii) what, if any, priority research areas were identified for further study as a result of this research, (viii) what, if any, departments were involved in this research, (ix) what, if any, action was undertaken to ensure inter-departmental cooperation throughout the research process, (x) what, if any, gaps or weaknesses in the regulatory framework did the research identify; (b) what, if any, research has the government undertaken regarding balancing shale gas' potential contribution to energy security with environmental risks; (c) what are the sources of greenhouse gas emissions associated with unconventional gas; (d) has the government developed a process to determine the overall carbon footprint of shale gas throughout the life cycle of natural gas use, if not, why not, and, if so, (i) what federal departments are involved in this process, (ii) how does the government ensure inter-departmental collaboration on this process, (iii) what is the p ...

45. Calls on the Commission, in close cooperation with the Member States and having taken account of the various geographical and climatological conditions, the production techniques used and the particular nature of the species farmed, to propose specific sustainable criteria in relation to the well-being of farmed fish, such as maximum levels of farming density, the quantity of vegetable and animal proteins that can be used in feedstuffs on the different types of fish farms, and which take into account the specific factors relating ...[+++]to the farming of individual species, the nutritional requirements of the fish species farmed, the phases in their life cycle and the environmental conditions, and to promote transportation and slaughter practices which limit sources of stress and the changing of water in fish ponds in such a way as to guarantee the well-being of the fish being farmed there; understands that the long-term goal must be to substitute animal proteins with vegetable proteins for all species where it is possible, considering their nutritional needs, and that strategic research into replacements for the essential ingredients should be of highest priority, considering that research into the essential nutrients and how to produce them from alternative sources such as microalgae and yeast would reduce the need for fish meal in the longer term;

45. Calls on the Commission, in close cooperation with the Member States and having taken account of the various geographical and climatological conditions, the production techniques used and the particular nature of the species farmed, to propose specific sustainable criteria in relation to the well-being of farmed fish, such as maximum levels of farming density, the quantity of vegetable and animal proteins that can be used in feedstuffs on the different types of fish farms, and which take into account the specific factors relating ...[+++]to the farming of individual species, the nutritional requirements of the fish species farmed, the phases in their life cycle and the environmental conditions, and to promote transportation and slaughter practices which limit sources of stress and the changing of water in fish ponds in such a way as to guarantee the well-being of the fish being farmed there; understands that the long-term goal must be to substitute animal proteins with vegetable proteins for all species where it is possible, considering their nutritional needs, and that strategic research into replacements for the essential ingredients should be of highest priority, considering that research into the essential nutrients and how to produce them from alternative sources such as microalgae and yeast would reduce the need for fish meal in the longer term;

We have some organizations who have called for new legislation and/or regulations that would incorporate non-scientific factors, such as market acceptance, under Canada's regulatory approval process for the licensing of new plant varieties that are products of genetic technology.

Second, the amount of payment should not be determined by the volume of current or future production of specific commodities or inputs to avoid biasing farmers' choices between specific commodities or those production techniques.

It is not the purpose of the conference to make any judgements in relation to the existing ban on the use of 'hormones' in fattening animals - the conference's remit does not extend beyond the scientific aspects; indeed the substances and growth promoting techniques to be examined will extend beyond hormones, for example to feed additives. Chronology of the European debate on growth promoters in animal production The "prohibition" policy 2.