Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you for being here with us today, Minister. In your presentation, you alluded to milk protein imports. We have worked long and hard on this, to achieve the results we now see. However, there are other import-related issues, concerning preservation of the supply management system, that are very important.
A variety of Quebec producers' federations have recently held a number of annual general meetings. Because I attended several of those meetings, Mr. Strahl, I would like to tell you what was discussed there, in particular concerning poultry imports.
According to the Fédération des producteurs de volailles du Québec, your government has agreed to an 8.7 million kilo increase in poultry imports, which allows for 8.4 per cent market access instead of the present 7.5 per cent. With 7.5 per cent access, Canada is one of the top ten importing countries in the world. Those imports are possible because of the rule that an imported product containing less than 87 per cent chicken is not considered to be chicken, and so is not subject to the tariff quotas.
I do not know whether you have heard about the chicken coming from the United States. The chicken is put in a box and rice is added to it, and once it enters Canada the rice is removed. This means that the chicken is not subject to tariffs. The Fédération des producteurs de volailles du Québec is calling for Canada to make imported products containing more than 20 per cent chicken subject to customs tariffs under Article 28 of GATT.
My second question deals with Quebec dairy producers, who are concerned about chocolate milk imports. We have already had the whole tale of the butter oil in ice cream, a battle we lost, I would remind you. Last year, milk chocolate sales rose by 11 per cent in Canada and Quebec. The Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec is calling on the federal government to make imported dairy products subject to customs tariffs, including chocolate milk and flavoured milk.
I would like to know whether you are prepared to agree to these requests today.