Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I have a great deal of respect for beef producers out west. In my previous life, before becoming an MP, I was a beef producer. I saw the developments and all the efforts made by associations out west. The issue of genetics was often provided as an example. Many of my producer friends purchased cows from western Canada to improve their herds. Biotechnology in the feeding domain has resulted in feed being more digestible today.
About 20 years ago, or 20 to 25 years ago, when an animal gained 2 to 2.2 pounds a day, that was a good result. I still have many friends who own feedlots in Quebec. Today, they speak of four pounds a day. I don't think we've focused enough on the advancement of biotechnology, the quality of the animal, the quality of the meat and the time saved. There's no doubt that the North American beef industry is very competitive. Without these advances, I think Canada would have major problems.
Three weeks ago, I heard some bad news. A French-language show, RDI économie, reported that interest groups were exerting pressure and wanted a $0.45 per kilo tax imposed on Canadian beef because people find there's too much beef in Canada. They want less beef because they consider that, on an environmental level, we produce too much beef. I was shocked by this news. RDI économie raised the issue with Marcel Groleau, president of the Union des producteurs agricoles du Québec. He was also shocked by the statement. This type of tax would have a bombshell effect on the Canadian industry.
Do you hear these types of statements out west? RDI économie is a Radio-Canada show. Where there's smoke, there's fire. If the media is already starting to talk about it, the reason is that people are exerting pressure. Does that worry you?