Absolutely. Thank you.
As Dr. Evans noted, there are a number of pathways of concern. Those pathways don't only relate to the import of plant products. Wood packaging material and the risks it presents can also be a significant issue. That is why the focus of our activities is really on partnership and collaboration. We work with our provincial colleagues, other government departments, and our counterparts in the U.S. and around the world.
It might be useful if I pause here to note the very premise of our programs. When we as an agency undertake a risk assessment to authorize the entry of a product, we take into account the infrastructure in the exporting country and their ability, through signing an export certificate where necessary, to convey to us the assurance that they are applying appropriate risk mitigation in their country.
So when we look at the issue of a pest having entered Canada, and it occasionally happens--take the emerald ash borer as an example--we conduct survey work in collaboration with others. We work with provincial and municipal governments in responding to that threat, with the aim of slowing the spread of the pest as part of our risk mitigation approach.