Perhaps the federal government would be interested in putting in a plan that allowed the producer to get paid directly from the product that is sold in the retail store. So perhaps that would be a taxation similar to the recycling fee we pay so that all the bottles go back and people are returning them. Perhaps we could use our identification system, CCIA, to make sure the funds are going back to the farmers. That might alleviate some pressure quickly.
But I think the long-term solution is pretty far off. We need to be able to make about $8 a pound in order for the farmer to break even and make 10% on his investment. Right now we're making about $1.10 a pound.
The immediate problem could maybe be fixed by the taxation, but I think it needs to be completely redone. And I'm not sure how that's to be done, but you guys are the ones we elected, so hopefully you can find a solution to that.