Good afternoon.
Mr. Chair, thank you for this invitation.
I would also like to thank all the committee members for letting me work with them on this issue.
My name is René Roy, and I'm a pork producer in Quebec and the chair of the Canadian Pork Council.
Let me give you a quick summary of three tariff impacts in our sector, impacts we have felt in direct and indirect ways.
First, China has imposed a 25% tariff on pork products, and that loss has impacted producers and processors. Tariffs introduced from the U.S., although brief for our products and our live animals, also had an impact. We continue to work through the accounting for that with both the federal and provincial governments.
Second, our producers are paying more for some inputs and for farm machinery, among other items, because of tariffs on inputs such as aluminum, steel and other products. Indeed, producers on both sides of the border are paying for these measures.
Third, and perhaps having the largest impact, is the uncertainty that has been created for future investment. It is difficult for producers to plan for the future if they can't know the rules of engagement in advance. That's why we're asking the government to negotiate a fair and free CUSMA, so we can understand the business environment we will live in and benefit from it. We also want to recognize the federal government's commitment to provide some measure of support by increasing, notably, AgriMarketing, although we believe that additional support will be required.
Some producers are currently in Japan today. We are continuing to make sure that we diversify our market. Japan is today our largest customer, because we have changed the way we proceed with our industry. As you are aware, we are exporting about 70% of our pork products around the world. Trade is certainly of major interest to us and has significant tactical and strategic impacts for us.
Thank you. I'm willing to answer your questions.