Mr. Chair, the most serious consequences, naturally, concern cull cows.
In fact, 75% of cull cows slaughtered in Quebec were sold to the United States. These producers now have no access to that market. This means that the average producer, who sold about 20 cull cows each fall at $1,000 to $1,200 a head, earned between $20,000 and $25,000 with which to support his family. This represented 75% of his income; his milk production accounting for the remaining 25%.
However, such producers are completely helpless, because 75% of their income has disappeared. The cow they previously sold for $1,000 to $1,200 now sells for barely $100. However, as I said earlier, the retail price of meat has not changed. This is somewhat contradictory.
These producers are suffering. Some 47% of all milk is produced in Quebec. Consequently, milk producers are facing a serious crisis. Naturally, beef and other producers are also affected, but these producers are hardest hit.
In my opinion, the government recognized the problem when it implemented the program, and the Quebec government also provided compensation. However, this program was not generous enough.
The hon. member is a government member; he must speak to his caucus, his Minister of Finance and his Prime Minister to make them understand that, as he indicated earlier, this is a tragedy. It is a tragedy for these people. These producers are not responsible. They are therefore entitled to assistance, as are regions hit by floods, forest fires or, as Ontario was, by the SARS epidemic.
This is a tragedy, and I think the government must take more concrete action.