I would just like to correct one point. To my knowledge, there are no inspectors in plants all the time. There are provincial and federal inspection procedures. However, the inspectors do not work in the same way as those in slaughterhouses; the situation is somewhat different.
Milk is tested at the farm, it is tested again when the truck arrives at the plant, there are tests to detect the presence of somatic cells, bacteria, residues and so on. Milk is the farm product that undergoes the most microbiological and other testing to ensure it is safe. It is tested at plants, there are laboratories there. Even though all producers include a tested sample with a shipment on the truck, the product will be tested again. There is a whole procedure to be followed. If any residues or anything else is found, the truck will be put to one side and the producer, in many cases, will be responsible, and will have to pay all the costs relating to the truck. This would amount to a loss of several tens of thousands of dollars. The system relies heavily on self-discipline, both at the plant and on the farm.
Let me come back to your point. In spite of everything, I do agree with you to some extent. In today's society, it is important to ensure we have a good system, in light of all the potential risks with food, despite all the safeguards we've put in place. There are regulations. To come back to what Mr. Wayne was saying earlier, whether we are talking about labelling or food safety, we have to ensure people have absolute confidence in the food production system. Beyond the self-discipline of food producers, we have to ensure procedures are in place both for imported products and for our own products.
If I may, I would like to add two points. All the studies that have been done of Canadians have shown one of the major issues had to do with our inspection procedures and our regulations. There is a perception on the part of consumers. Our products are subject to much more stringent regulations than those in effect in other countries.
I will not take a stand, I will not try to say whether or not the perception is accurate, but I do think it is important to mention. Our producers have to comply with standards that are becoming increasingly stringent in all regards, particularly safety. They are asking that the same standards apply to imported products, and this is not always the case. In Quebec, there were provincial inspections. So people were wondering about the way the standards were being applied to imported products. Were they just as stringent? The standards are not always as stringent, and that is unfortunate.