That's an excellent question. I think that a lack of coordination and communication actually spawned the beef science cluster initiative, which really works to pull all the research pieces together, coordinates the activities across the country among universities, certainly with industry, as well as federal and provincial governments. That was the reason for the beef science cluster approach. The Beef Cattle Research Council, a division of CCA, coordinates and administers the industry component of the beef science cluster. Coordination and efficient use of research dollars is essential at a time of very tight fiscal conditions across the country.
I do want to clarify our position here. We recognize we are in a time of belt-tightening across this country. So as we've laid out issues, they've been our priorities, recognizing that down the road there are going to be trade-offs. Among the trade-offs, these are our priorities: research is a key priority for the long term, and the sustainability and competitiveness of our industry. We also appreciate the sound fiscal policy, and recognize that we need to maintain that sound fiscal policy. Our producers have benefited from the resulting positive business climate that has occurred in this country due to that policy.
Thank you.