I would like to share some of my time with Claude.
Mention was made of the need to restrict imports. Although I alluded earlier to the fact that many processors in Quebec agreed with the dairy producers — even a large majority of them do — the industry representatives who are appearing before us today said that a ban on imports was what was being sought. And yet, before the decision rendered by the Federal Court of Canada, milk protein imports were allowed. Now that the door is open, they probably see dollar signs on the horizon. However, for the dairy producers, this situation...
I did not obtain an answer on this matter, but I said earlier that this was jeopardizing supply management, since import restrictions constitute one of the pillars of supply management.
It was said that dairy producers may lose up to $500 million per year. In terms of money, this is serious; in terms of family life or even the very survival of the dairy sector, this is serious; it is also serious for the survival of supply management.
I would like you to tell us, from the dairy producers' viewpoint, what the consequences of this decision will be since we all fully appreciate that, beforehand, there were milk protein imports and the system managed to operate all the same, even though the situation was not ideal.