Mr. Chair, my riding is in the situation that the minister alluded to. I had the honour of having him tour my riding last week. In my riding, we have a diversified farm situation. We have potatoes, grain, dairy and cattle. As many members in the House know, these industries are all in crisis now. They are all having very difficult times. There is a huge surplus in potatoes, so the price is down. The price is down for grain. Obviously we have the BSE situation with our beef.
I thank the minister for touring the riding. I make note to the House that my riding is a varied situation, and beef is certainly in crisis, but the entire agriculture sector in our region is in crisis.
I think something should be pointed out, though, in terms of the response that Canadians have had to BSE. Canadians have rallied behind our farmers. I think it is a real testament to us as Canadians. Not only do we know that Canadian beef is safe, but we knew then that there was a time of crisis and consumption went through the roof in response to that crisis. That is a real testament to Canadians.
Farmers have noted that under the CAISP program, a potential solution for the suffering and the pain, the negative margins will help. I know that the federal government is in negotiations with various provinces. How are those negotiations going? Could the minister report to the House on those negotiations?