Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to thank the witnesses for their presentations today and their participation in this study on non-tariff trade barriers.
I'm sure you're aware that the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry did a study, and they released a report last month, “Market Access: Giving Canadian Farms and Processors the World”. They made a recommendation asking the government to consider establishing a national committee with a mandate to monitor non-tariff trade barriers faced by the Canadian agriculture and agrifood sector in the international markets. Monitoring would facilitate negotiations toward the elimination of non-tariff trade barriers.
When we negotiate a trade deal, this is something that should be dealt with from the beginning to ensure that once it's signed and we start implementing we don't have to go back and try to fight and resolve these problems. I know there are quite a few problems still ongoing with CETA.
I was wondering if I could get your comments around the suggestion made by the Senate committee. I would start with Hans and then go to Leah or Mr. Gray.