Mr. Chairman, it is important to understand that supply management as such is not an issue in the negotiations. The negotiations deal with a global framework for agricultural sector subsidies and the opening of agricultural markets. No one around the negotiating table is asking for the repeal of supply management. It is an issue that is not on the table in the negotiations.
What a great many countries hope to see—for the most part developing countries—would be reforms in the developed countries, so that they could better develop their agricultural production and have access to a market that will bring in significant revenue, which would contribute to their development.
Mr. de Schutter made a presentation at the WTO a few months ago. It was rather interesting to see the reaction of several developing countries, who felt that his comments and proposals were somewhat detached from their economic reality. In their eyes, one development tool would be their capacity to export and to have access to a lucrative market, and to higher prices. Therefore, they are targeting access to our markets. Within that context, one has to step back and study the issue from the perspective of the negotiations overall. We must find a balance between allowing each country to safeguard their interests, while at the same time promoting fair trade for all of the countries participating.
That is what is at stake in the negotiations. The intent of the negotiations is not to determine whether or not certain countries should adopt supply management. It is rather an issue of having international trade rules that are fair for all participants.