A traceability system does indeed have a cost, but that cost is negligible compared to the cost of a crisis.
We often insure our houses against fire, when there may never be a fire. Yet we will have paid insurance premiums all our lives because we feel we have an obligation to protect our property. The purpose of the traceability system is to protect human and animal health, but we must never forget that a traceability system makes it possible for us to add information and provide added-value that protect our markets, and may help us develop other markets.
When we received the group of veterinarians from Japan who came to audit the Quebec system, Quebec exporters had an opportunity to access other markets, because information was available from a third party, and the information the exporters needed could be confirmed.
With regard to the federal government's role, in times of crisis the federal government is the first entity called upon to advocate our issues and show that we're there. In my view, this should be shared among the federal government, provincial government and industry, and we need to ensure that throughout Canada we have similar systems that meet international requirements and protect our consumers within our borders.