Thank you, Mr. Chair.
It's good to be with you again, Minister.
I know that you know Mr. Atamanenko, who is usually here but was unable to come today. He is hearing from the cow-calf producers as well that the situation is quite dire for many of them. In response to my two colleagues who have also raised the issue, we're also hearing from producers that there are some difficulties out there. Notwithstanding the fact that you say there are always difficulties out there, I understand, I think it may be a little more than just someone who is having difficulties in managing their operation.
But let me do what Mr. Bellavance has done and sort of get a few out there. In some cases, you may not be able to respond, but to come back in writing is fine.
The CFIA actually briefed this committee a couple of years ago and said that when it came to animal transport regulations, we would see something happening. It has now been two years. When do you think the regulations will be brought forward? If there's a holdup, what is it, and could we know about that?
In the tree fruit industry, which is in my neck of the woods, in the peninsula, we've just witnessed clingstone peach trees being pulled out of the ground because of the lack of a canning facility, which closed two years ago. When they replant, especially if they go back into tree fruit, it takes anywhere from four to seven years for those trees to come into production. The real question for them is, how do they survive that period of time when really there is no production? In a lot of cases, what they're asking is if this government going to consider a cost-of-production based program, which perhaps will be the answer to their margin issue, because they are being attacked by exports from outside.
As to apple and peach producers, if you buy canned peaches in this country from CanGro Foods Inc., turn to the label, and you'll find they're Chinese peaches. They're not Niagara peaches. Yet CanGro used to be the major canner in St. Davids in the Niagara peninsula. Folks out there who think they're buying Canadian peaches in a CanGro box or bottle or jar aren't. They're no longer grown there. That's what is really happening. Those folks have to figure out what's next; that was the business they were in.
In the same vein, with CFIA when it comes to tree fruits, we see apples coming in and perhaps being refused in the U.S. market because of pesticide residue. Are we speaking to the USDA from CFIA's perspective and sharing information so that we know that shipment of applies doesn't land on Canadian shores? In other words, when it gets redirected, when it's coming from China, it's not headed back; it's going to be headed somewhere else where they can sell it if possible. So if the USDA refuses entry of a shipment, are they talking to us? Are they saying to us, “By the way, shipment X was denied here because of...?” Why? Are we actually hearing about that?
Staying in the same vein with CFIA, Minister, there was an audit done by USDA in 2009. They do spot checks of plants processing ready-to-eat meats. They came in and reviewed paperwork. They found that in 25% of the places they spot-checked, immediate action needed to be taken for enforcement, mainly in sanitation. Three of the plants were delisted. Now, I understand that they've been re-listed, but they were delisted immediately. My understanding—and I can be corrected on this—is that this audit is not on the CFIA website. Now, I understand that we didn't do the audit, but these Canadian plants that don't just send meat to the U.S.--they send it into the Canadian market.
Here's my question. If the U.S. is saying, “Don't send us your product”, why aren't Canadians aware of that fact? At the very least, Canadians ought to have the information, because I believe that what CFIA said after the listeriosis crisis of two and a half years ago was that they would provide all information to Canadians so that they could make informed decisions. If the USDA is saying to these Canadian facilities that it is delisting them immediately, not in 30 days, but now, so that they can't ship to the U.S., why aren't Canadians allowed to know these facts so they can make the proper decisions when it comes to their choices?
The other piece is the issue of recommendation 7 that Sheila Weatherill made in her report. That was under your auspices, Minister. You brought in a very competent woman in Ms. Weatherill. I think she did a comprehensive review. She did an excellent job. I will quote recommendation 7. It says:
To accurately determine the demand on its inspection resources and the number of required inspectors—
I repeat: “the number of required inspectors”.
—the Canadian Food Inspection Agency should retain third-party experts to conduct a resources audit. The experts should also recommend required changes and implementation strategies. The audit should include analysis as to how many plants—
I repeat: “how many plants”.
—an inspector should be responsible for and the appropriateness of rotation of inspectors.
Now--