Indeed, through their Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops, or MASC, program, the United States provides direct support to producers of vegetables, fruits and other specialty products. From what we understand, equivalent support would not be permitted in Canada under our currently negotiated agreements. We are already at a disadvantage compared to the United States in terms of our ability to support our agricultural sector.
Among the producers I represent, there is significant frustration regarding this. We are unable to compete with our American counterparts and this is causing major problems. We have proven ourselves, we have been good players, but this has clearly hurt us from a competitive standpoint compared to the Americans.