Agriculture committee  Not at all. I'm not saying it's inappropriate. I'm just trying to explain, to the extent that there are gaps in my knowledge on particular matters, why that may be the case. But let me speak to the issue you're addressing. The question raises an issue with respect to the application of the abuse of dominance provisions of the Competition Act.

Agriculture committee  I could try--putting the salary issue aside--to speak to what it is the Competition Act does and the mechanics of how that works. I can't talk to the specific situation in potash and the various other facts that you addressed in the question. It's important, I think, for people to recognize that high prices, in and of themselves, are not contrary to the Competition Act.

Agriculture committee  Yes, and I'm glad you raised that question. We did examine that issue. It has a few different labels—some participants refer to it as “captive supply”. It's a good example of the differing perspectives that exist in the industry. What we mean here, really, is the purchase or ownership of cattle by packers two or more weeks prior to slaughter.

Agriculture committee  Sure. The second merger that we examined was between XL Foods and Lakeside. The bureau conducted a comprehensive examination of the matter, interviewing over 50 industry participants in western Canada. As with the previous merger, one of the key issues was the relevant geographic market for the purchase of cattle.

Agriculture committee  I'll try to be quick. Mr. Chair and members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you this morning as part of your study on competitiveness in the agricultural sector. My name is Adam Fanaki and I am the Acting Senior Deputy Commissioner of Competition for the Competition Bureau's Mergers Branch.