Thank you.
And thank you for being here. I think this is really important subject matter, this whole discussion about low-level presence. I'd just make a couple of points.
I think what I heard Malcolm, my NDP colleague, say was that zero tolerance really is unachievable. It's not realistic. The question is: what do you do after that, once you acknowledge that fact? Certainly, in my work with the industry, there is a general acceptance that with zero tolerance the stakes are high, and no one really wins in that scenario. But then there's a variance of opinion based on what to do next.
The other point I want to bring up is that I think, when you look at a low-level presence policy, the conversation immediately goes to GM contamination. But I would say there are all sorts of other contamination, right? You were talking about wheat that could have some corn contamination. It could be non-GM corn, but it's there from a previous shipment that was held in a hold, or something along those lines. It doesn't necessarily mean GM, it can be a non-GM type of contamination as well.
The other thing I'd say too is that “contamination” is a very negative word, but if there is a contamination of something other than the core product, it has to be a product that is fit for consumption based on sound science. We're not talking about a low-level presence of highly radioactive material or lead or something like that, that you're not allowed to consume. That would ban the shipment. We're talking about the contamination of product that is fit for human consumption and is based on sound science.
I think those are two important points to make.
I want to ask a question about different sectors. I've had many meetings with the organic sector. I would have thought the organic sector would have been open to low-level presence because the stakes are high for them too. It's not GM, as I say, it could be any non-organic contamination of their organic shipment. It could come not from their fields, of course, but as you mentioned, the supply chain, meaning a truck, a railcar, a shipping hold that was not properly cleaned. But what I have found in general is that the organic sector is not open to low-level presence. They're not in favour of it.
I'm wondering if you two are able to comment on that. I know that's not necessarily your sector, but I don't know if you've encountered that in your discussions. Do you try to provide them with other information? What's your experience on that?
I'm asking both of you.