Mr. Lemieux talks about my solution, but it actually is not my solution. It is the industry's solution. It is what they have asked us for. I understand that Mr. Lemieux has not been a member of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food as long as some of the members around the table here. But the discussions on SRM are nothing new. This was not done off the top of our heads after the testimony of a few witnesses that we heard in the last session. We have been discussing this for years and the people in the industry have done serious work in order to arrive at serious solutions.
So, as I have always said, Mr. Lemieux's motion is like apple pie; you cannot be against it. Yes, the government should be talking with industry. But, to me, that is wasting this industry's time, or, at least, more politely, stalling for time. We can talk and talk and form committees. But we do not need to do that any more. We have heard so much testimony, we have read so many careful studies showing that there is a serious problem. Basically, the Americans do not have the same SRM standards as we do.
This did not come from the Bloc Québécois. The Canadian Meat Council study is very serious about the competitiveness gap of $31.70 per head. Of course, the committee does not give out money. We just make recommendations to the government. Doing so does not put us in any danger, nor does it stop the government from continuing its discussions with the industry.
Mr. Chair, of course I did not want to hold up the committee's work by introducing this motion at the beginning of the meeting. But it is difficult to introduce motions this session. I do not know how many of my motions have been delayed or postponed. The list goes on and on. This situation is urgent because the Union des producteurs agricoles du Québec is holding its convention in Quebec City as we speak. One of the first items of business that they were discussing as the convention opened today was about SRM. So I feel there is some urgency in acting quickly.
I apologize to the witnesses, of course. But the quickest way to get to their testimony on GMOs is to move to a vote immediately. Everyone has been able to express their opinion. If people are against, that is their right. They can vote against it, and we are done. We move to the next item. That is the quickest solution.