One thing specifically in our sector that is pretty obvious from a policy standpoint—looking at the current price environment—is that the policies put in place in 2006 are working as they should. A big part of having mandated requirements for renewable content in our fuel pool is to mitigate and to plan for stabilizing demand in uncertain times. Looking at shrinking margins like we have right now, having those mandates and that policy stability is certainly very important.
We're fortunate here in that our mandates are by percentage. We don't have the same policy to the south, in the U.S., where they have volumes that are negotiated on an annual basis for their renewable fuel content. A lot of the ambiguity that we're facing right now because of the price environment is kind of added to because the EPA has not set those blend volumes for 2014 or 2015.
I think it is good to take a moment and reflect on the fact that we have policies in place that are working and that are helping stabilize demand for us in the face of these lower prices for sure. I think that it is also worth taking a look at how production has grown. We have been able to increase production to 1.8 billion litres of ethanol in Canada. It's impressive. Looking at growing out mandates is the next logical step to ensure that growth continues to pay forward and Canadian policies that are very strong continue to keep pace internationally.