From our perspective, a key strength of the ag policy framework is that it pulls together various initiatives, efforts, and activities under a framework. It's more than ad hoc programming. We think there's tremendous value there. It's also an excellent way for industry and government to partner together.
In our sector, one of the key things we've done in partnership with Growing Forward 2 is the development of this new Canadian feedlot animal care assessment tool. It's an industry protocol for animal welfare. It brings together components of the value chain, and it's not just the cattle feeders, but the beef processors as well.
The strength of this new protocol has been recognized internationally. It's now being used in the United States by 50 feedlot operations there that are in a branded beef program. There's a tremendous value as government and industry partner together to address things like public trust and animal welfare.
In terms of particular weaknesses, of course, federal investment in agriculture is only one component of government involvement. We have provincial investments occurring as well, and one thing I have noticed about Growing Forward 2 is simply the length of time it takes for some of the administrative issues that revolve around moving those investments into agriculture and getting them on the ground.
That's perhaps a continual challenge, but comparatively speaking, some have told me—and I've been around the discussions—that interacting with the program and moving the money is perhaps more difficult under Growing Forward 2. Whatever we can do to smooth out that administrivia within the program would be beneficial.