I would like to make a few comments on the rate of effectiveness or work of companies.
In eastern Canada there is only one large slaughterhouse left, the Levinoff-Colbex slaughterhouse. Last year 94% of the cull cows in Quebec were slaughtered there, along with a large percentage of those from the maritime provinces and approximately 50% of those from Ontario. There is no significant cull cow abattoir left in Ontario.
You must understand that the American buyer is very present in eastern Canada. He is taking over the cull cattle. The additional $31.70 he has has allowed him to come here and compete with us. We must rectify this situation. To do this through regulations is the best possible solution. We know this. However, in the meantime, can the Canadian government support the industry, so that we can maintain jobs? Our young people want to stay on our farms.
You will recall that at the beginning of the BSE crisis the outcry was first heard from the dairy producers. The value of a cull cow in Canada is the net profit at the end of the year. When there is no more leeway in that regard the entire dairy industry will fall apart, because of the collateral effect. So, it is important to consider the slaughtering of cull cows in Canada from a broad, overall perspective; we have to consider the reality in the western and eastern parts of the country and try to collectively find a way to improve the situation.