: I would like to add that the 80% of the region’s fields are infested. I think it’s a pipe dream to believe that there will be potatoes in Saint-Amable next year. Even if nematodes weren’t found in 20% of the fields, that doesn’t mean they won’t be there next year. The Agency will be constantly with us over the next five, ten, fifteen years, to closely monitor what is happening in the region.
It must also be understood that if potatoes aren’t produced in this region, they’ll be produced elsewhere. Finding 3,000 acres of land suitable for growing potatoes isn’t impossible. It just takes time. I am just about certain that the producers will fight over any available land, if there is any. Whatever the case may be, they’ll never find what they lost in Saint-Amable.
One thing that we shouldn’t forget is that we signed an agreement with the United States to reopen the border. The border was reopened this morning. We should congratulate the Agency, who worked hard to get this done. Congratulations!
However, the importance of obtaining the sector’s compliance is very high. It is possible that someone notices that one group in the sector is being cast aside in order to keep the border open. There is a risk that this story could come back to haunt us. The Agency told us openly. Quebec has to comply with the agreement. We will do our part, on the condition that the producers affected by nematodes are properly compensated. The impact on their businesses must also be mitigated, to allow them to get through this crisis. If this condition is not met, compliance with this agreement… we have to ensure that the sector complies with the agreement, so that the US sees that the Agency has the situation well in hand.