In our project, we were surprised not to see any major difference in facility costs between federally certified facilities and others certified at the provincial level. It was surprising because we had expected it to cost more.
As to requirements, when you build facilities seeking federal government approval from the outset, you have to bear roughly the same costs as if you wanted certification issued based on hazard analysis critical control point, or HACCP, and to be subject to provincial inspection. That's not really where you see the difference.
What's interesting—and what we've understood—is that the major challenge that small provincial abattoirs face in adapting and moving up to the next level, federal inspection, stems from the fact that they're already operating in infrastructure that requires adaptations and that their practices also have to be adapted. That step is thus much steeper than if you were starting by seeking federal certification. We think the best way is to start by requesting federal approval. Then you can generate economies of scale.
I think our project is too costly right now compared to what it might cost once we've met all the technical challenges. When we can operate in a network, we'll be able to build not one but 20 abattoirs, which would be scattered across the country. Then we'll be able to achieve economies of scale and reduce both the problem and the costs of installation.