It's actually on page 5 of the presentation, chapter 3. It says, “Let me begin with environmental programming at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. While agriculture generates billions of dollars for Canada's economy, pollution from the farm sector also represents a significant environmental burden. Public concern about its effects is growing.”
When I look at chapter 3 in the book here, it says right at the bottom of page 1, “Agriculture has changed significantly in response to market demands, new production technologies, and larger, more intensive operations.” I'm wondering where the studies have actually come from. I'm someone who has been involved with agriculture all my life. I look back to when I was much younger, in terms of agriculture practices, whether it was livestock or whether it was crops and the growing of crops, and the management of livestock in terms of the manure that comes, which we use now, and the storage of it, and the land it gets used on now because it's all measured. I'm wondering where the studies show the increased stress in terms of the environment.
The second part is this. When you can say that and when we look at it—and I'm just looking for some justification—do we look at the benefits agriculture gives to the environment? There is an incredible offset, as we all know, about agriculture, not only with livestock but particularly in the growing of crops. Is there a balance or is that considered?
Thank you.