Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
In answer to one of Mr. Richards' questions, I think one of the solutions to the family farm crisis right now, in large part, is found in the rather compelling argument made by Mr. Smardon in his presentation. I was very impressed with it.
Mr. Smardon, on that point, I have for some time been talking about turning all this wonderful research that's out there into jobs. In fact, farmers will not only feed cities, but they'll feed industry in the future if we can get our heads around this concept.
I've witnessed the production of dashboards from plastics, and in fact they make seats, I think you said, out of soybeans.
I'm going to get right to the three questions I have of you.
First, you mentioned the national commercialization assessment that was completed for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. What is the status of that report? Has it been received by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and has there been any action or have there been any recommendations from that?
Secondly, can you expand a bit more on the point you made about the industry being ignored by venture capital and investment? Are there concerns beyond those relating to funding, and has that been particularly problematic in the agriculture and agri-food industry?
You mentioned two solutions. One that you raised is funding, but the second one, the one I want you to speak about, is this commercialization expansion program. Are there other examples that you can give us, and what exactly do you have in mind with that?