Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
You raise an extremely important point as we think about the issue of standards, and harmonization in relation to standards. As Brian noted in his opening remarks, our first priority is consumer protection, and that does not change in our discussion around harmonization of standards. So the issue in the context of harmonization of standards that becomes important is understanding from a science perspective what standard provides an appropriate level of protection, and working with other countries to define that standard that will deliver the level of protection we all seek.
As Brian has noted, an important element in that regard is to work within the international context. The international standard-setting body for foods, Codex Alimentarius, is an important venue, and Canada, as Brian noted, is extremely active in that venue in this regard. Our interest in harmonization is not seeking the lowest common denominator but seeking the right standard, based in science, so that we can then deliver the consumer protection that Canadians would expect, so that we achieve two things, efficiency in how we operate the regulatory system and confidence in that system—confidence for Canadians as well as confidence for the industry that is regulated.