Thanks, Mr. Chairman, and thanks to everyone for showing up.
I'm basically going to put my questioning along the same lines as our witnesses this morning, because I'd like to hear your comments.
Ross, it's good to see you again. I have a question for you. We talk about having something to specifically address disasters and that kind of thing. We've heard comments by Mr. Sardinha about BSE and the avian bird flu, and to me they are specific disasters. We have from time to time adverse weather conditions that affect all sectors of agriculture, whether it be a mini drought or whatever you want to call it, or excessive moisture, and that kind of thing. Do you think that crop insurance should be mandatory throughout agriculture? I know there are some debates on that, but should it be part of the overall thing? I'd like to hear your comments on what you think of the announcement here to move back to the 15% top-up to the CAIS program.
To Ms. Allison, there's one question that keeps coming up, and earlier I asked your counterpart about it as well. The CAIS hasn't be responsive enough in all sectors of agriculture, and specifically you hear some good stories and horror stories in the beef industry. Do you think that this 15% top-up is going in the right direction?
I have a more general question. The family farm keeps coming up. Should programs and government funding be directed more to the size of farms, or basically to make us competitive on the worldwide market?
Mr. Sardinha, you talked about a number of things in the fruit industry. I know about these things, because I have quite a few Georgian Bay fruit growers in my own riding, and I know that they haven't been able to access CAIS money; it just hasn't worked. Are you suggesting in any way that the fruit industry or the horticulture industry should be in supply management? And one specific question I have--and I don't know the answer to this--is what percentage of the fruit is grown? I take it that we're a net importer of fruit, and I'd like to know the numbers there as far as that is concerned.
I'll leave it at that for right now, and if I have any time left maybe I'll add some more.