I would first like to thank my colleagues on the committee for having agreed to reverse the agenda to hear the witnesses. I would also like to thank our witnesses for having informed us of these situations, which are different, but which reflect the trend we have been observing for some time now, namely an increase in the imports of farm products. Beef is following this trend, as are other products. Everyone is trying to find a solution. And you have also presented us with some solutions.
I will immediately go to my questions, because we do not have a lot of time. Mr. Dufresne, you said that imports increased by 8.7 million kilograms, which means that market access has increased from 7.5% to 8.4%. It seems that suddenly the demand for these products has increased. Importers and processors are asking for products from abroad.
Do they necessarily have to come from outside the country? Could our producers produce the additional 8.7 million kilos? Why does the product have to come from elsewhere?