I would like to make sure we have a very clear understanding on the issue. In 1997, when the original feed bans were brought in between Canada and the U.S., they were deemed at that time to be equivalent, but in fact the U.S. had certain exemptions in their feed ban that we did not provide in Canada. So our feed ban with the U.S. in 1997 was in fact somewhat more restrictive than that of the U.S., and that had the support of the industry of the day.
With the amendments that were introduced in 2006 and came into force in July of this year, in fact, we went further down the road than the U.S. had gone at that point in time. I was making reference to the fact of two points.
One fact is that, in light of our requirements, U.S. feed is not eligible to enter Canada unless it's produced under the same requirements to meet Canadian requirements. That has not changed. So they are not able to export feed to us unless they have instituted parallel measures.
The other point I was making to the committee was that we were notified earlier this week that the U.S. has gone forward now at the FDA level to their Office of Management and Budget, at the centre of the U.S. administration, with a proposal on further enhancements to their feed ban that would bring them either closer in line with us or move them somewhat closer to where we have gone. We don't have the specific provision to that and we will get that at the point that the OMB posts that proposal on the website for public consideration.