Thank you, gentlemen, for appearing today. It's terrific to have people of your calibre speaking before this committee.
I'm going to ask two questions. One is for Mr. Yada, and the other is for Ian and Gord.
Mr. Yada, you mentioned AFMNet losing its funding. Can you tell the committee the value of AFMNet? What exactly does AFMNet offer the government in respect of a better understanding of food research, innovation, and commercialization? We all know that healthier food means healthier people and lower health care costs. I've already had reaction from the private sector about AFMNet losing its funding in areas like the sodium research you introduced. So what does AFMNet offer, and why is it important in the absence of public research?
To the other folks, we've had quite an extensive discussion on Bill C-474 through Alex's bill. We've heard so many concerns--and you've repeated them, Ian--about biodiversity, contamination, the use of seed, and control by the companies.
I believe GMOs are here to stay. We have increasing global warming and we have to deal with that. We have to feed three billion more people over the next 30 or so years, and increase our food production by 70%. But at the same time, I heard Gord acknowledge that they have to forge systems to protect others.
Do you guys ever get together in a forum and sit down...? I'm not asking you to kiss and make up or anything, but is there an opportunity to create an organization in Canada where the two opposing opinions can actually get together and forge solutions to those issues that have been raised? Around this table it's almost impossible to make recommendations. We need those recommendations to come from the experts.
Mr. Yada, can I hear from you first?