Thanks very much, Chair.
It's an interesting meeting today, because we have two very opposing and very contrasting opinions on biotechnology. I think it's important that both sides be heard.
I want to pick up on one point before I ask my questions. There have been comments made that somehow the government is not reviewing studies, is not doing research on these products. But they do. That's what government does. They look at the body of research. There's a regulatory mechanism in place, and part of that mechanism is consulting with scientists, with the research, and with the industry. I think it's incorrect to leave the impression that this is not the case.
I think what's important for Canadians to know is that these are science-based decisions and that health and safety issues, particularly if a product is going to be in the food system or in the animal feed system, are of primary importance—not secondary importance, primary importance. That's critical.
The other thing that should come out is that on the positive side of GM and GE products, the ones that are on the market are safe. Canola is in every single grocery store. I don't think there's any consumer who feels threatened by reaching for a container of canola oil. We sell canola around the world. It's a wildly successful product, developed here in Canada, which has penetrated foreign markets. It's a boon to our agricultural industry. To somehow paint it as some sort of negative type of venture by Canada or Canadian farmers I don't think does justice to what canola has done and how canola serves the consumer and the public.
That's where I want to go with my first question. I'll direct it to Lorne.
In your report you mentioned canola, corn, and soya. Could you elaborate on that? Or could you perhaps talk about some other products where GM or GE has actually benefited the consumer and our farmers?