Thank you.
Mr. Laws, in 2007, this same Committee was already discussing the crisis in the beef industry. During the course of your participation, as a witness in the work of the Committee, you at the time mentioned an issue that you brought up again today, a year and a half later, namely the costs related to inspections, export duties and export certificates. You, among other things, stated back in 2007 that our competitiveness vis-à-vis the Americans was hurting, given that it can cost our producers and our processors up to $20 million more compared with the situation on the American side.
The Committee put forward recommendations in the report that followed its study. We, for example recommended that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency review all of its programs. You stirred my curiosity earlier when you said that you sit with the CFIA on a committee that is presently looking at this very issue.
Where are things at in this regard? What have your discussions been about? Have you seen any improvement since your previous appearance before us and the tabling of the Committee's report? Have there been any notable and tangible changes in this area?