Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I would like to begin by thanking the committee for having us today. I think it is important that time be taken to listen to all the comments of everyone affected by these negotiations that have reached a crucial stage.
The Union des producteurs agricoles, the UPA, as well as the other federations involved with supply management in Quebec, that is, those from the dairy, poultry, turkey, table egg and hatching egg sectors, would like to begin by thanking the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food for having invited them to express their positions on the WTO agricultural negotiations and to attend its sittings.
Today's presentation will focus specifically on three areas. We will begin by presenting the reasons that led to Canada establishing the supply management system 30 years ago. We will then delve into the more technical reasons underlying our greatest concerns with respect to the current negotiations, which affect our supply-managed commodities more directly. We will then touch upon the Canadian government's position on this file.
I will now give the floor to Mr. Serge Lebeau.