Mr. Chairman, that is a very good question, albeit one that is difficult to answer. I know that in many cases, regulations are viewed as hurdles to technological development and market access. As it goes about its many activities, the CFIA does its outmost to not hinder innovation. However, in the case of certain products, our job nonetheless is to ensure that these products are healthy, safe, and properly labelled. Therefore, we have to monitor these new products, but in such a way that we are not preventing development nor access to new markets.
Generally speaking, if we talk to people working in the industrial sector, many stakeholders view the regulations as beneficial, providing them a way to obtain certification and access to international markets, and to obtain recognition from the Canadian public that food products are safe. It's a bit like a double-edged sword. On the one hand, we don't want to hold up product development, but on the other hand, our mandate is to ensure product safety. This mandate must be honoured. Therefore, we try to work as efficiently and effectively as possible.