Thank you very much, Mr. Gourde, and I appreciate your question. Basically, I guess I can say that I inherited the issue.
Over the last couple of years, there has been an increase in diafiltered milk in this country, and we're certainly aware of the concerns regarding the use of diafiltered milk in the making of cheese. We're looking at an approach that ensures that the cheese compositional standards are clear for everyone. Under the standards, diafiltered milk was never meant to be allowed to be used as milk.
Canada recognizes the importance of effective import controls and administers its imports in accordance with the international trade obligations. Milk protein substances, including diafiltered milk, can be imported into Canada under NAFTA, as long as they contain 85% or more milk protein on a dry matter basis.
The industry has been engaged in negotiations, and there are differences of opinion on the way forward between some producers and processors, and between some dairy farmers in different provinces. We are working with the industry, and intend on having further discussions on this issue to ensure that the standards are clear.
Quite honestly, Mr. Gourde, I understand the problem. As you are aware, there are discussions taking place with the processors and the industry in different provinces. What I am trying to do, and have tried to do since becoming minister, is to make sure that all of the sectors understand the regulations and what standards are required. That is, in fact, what I have done to this date.