Thank you very much, Mr. Chair, and thank you to our witnesses for being here today to talk about Bill C-18.
Professor, I would like to follow up on some of your comments, as well. Certainly in previous studies the committee has done we've come to know and understand some of the tremendous costs, in terms of both money and resources, to develop a trait that is desirable to farmers so that they will actually purchase that technology to their benefit. It can be in the range of $100 million, or perhaps more. It can take 10 to 15 years, or perhaps longer, to basically bring a new trait to fruition onto the marketplace.
When I read your comments, I don't quite understand where the conflict is. You mention that UPOV is exclusionary and rigid. It's a closed regime of protection, and it alienates the interests and contributions to innovation made by indigenous and local community farmers. But, to me, the first thing I think I would point out is that—