Our first recommendation is to introduce immediate enhancements to business risk management programs. Our strong preference is for the federal government to immediately contribute to Ontario's risk management program. In our belief, this is the most effective way to ensure support for beef producers in Ontario.
We support the recommendations made by the CFA and others, such as the CCA, to enhance the current suite of BRM programs. However, our strong preference is that you immediately contribute the federal government's 60% share to our provincial RMP, similar to what western Canada is asking for with respect to the western livestock price insurance program. This would also support farmers in the grains sector and the non-supply managed livestock sectors in Ontario. These recommendations not only would support farmers quickly but would put in place the necessary safety net to mitigate future market shocks, be they COVID or otherwise, particularly over the next six to 12 months.
Our second recommendation, an equally important two-pronged approach, is to immediately establish a cattle set-aside program for fed, feeder and cull cows to help manage cattle supplies, given the current and potential disruptions at processing. The U.S. is looking at similar programming to help their cattle sector manage COVID-induced volatility, and Canada used this type of program during the BSE crisis. We need this tool available immediately.
That concludes our formal remarks. We would be happy to entertain your questions.
Thank you.