Agriculture committee  I think it goes back to several years ago, when there were a number of instances in some provincial plants, but we've had instances in federal plants. The perception developed that there might be some differences. I think one of the things is that we have to do a really good job of communicating that the standards are there.

Agriculture committee  I have just a quick comment on that question. One thing to remember is that provincially inspected plants and federally inspected plants are still producing safe food. A lot of it is, as you said, paved driveways, extra bathrooms, some extra paperwork. The federal government initiated a pilot several years ago looking at how to harmonize the regulations between provincially and federally inspected plants.

Agriculture committee  I think there are two aspects. You captured one, having the provinces recognize their individual inspection systems and allowing product to move back and forth. However, the other aspect that needs to be dealt with is the perception by the retail sector that there is a difference in standards and in food safety.

Agriculture committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, for the invitation to be here to present on behalf of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. My name is Ron Bonnett. I'm a beef producer from northern Ontario, and I'm president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture represents, through its member organizations, more than 200,000 farm families across Canada, and we promote the interests of Canadian agriculture and agrifood producers to ensure the continued development of a viable and vibrant agriculture and agrifood industry in Canada.

Finance committee  I would agree with your strategy right now. With the stalemate that has taken place with WTO, yes, you have to look into multilateral agreements and also identify a number of different countries, not just one country that you're dealing with. But I wouldn't lose hope that you could somehow stimulate discussion and make the WTO move forward as well—

Finance committee  —because it also has value, as we saw with the rulings on country of origin labelling. We sometimes forget that WTO has two roles. One is as a negotiating framework; the other is as a decision-making body that can bring some sort of justice to the whole trade discussion.

Finance committee  I have just a couple of quick comments. I think the discussion around temporary foreign workers has been taken off in a different direction because of some examples that really weren't accurate. If you look at agriculture from the primary production side, you'll see that the seasonal agricultural worker program is one of the most valuable programs and has been around for a number of years.

Finance committee  I wouldn't have details on that. But I think what this speaks to is a need, even though we're working with a number of bilateral and regional agreements, somehow or other to take a look at the WTO to see whether we can get a multilateral agreement in place, because it is the vehicle that would really deal with these issues.

Finance committee  That's right.

Finance committee  Would you care to lead off?

Finance committee  I think the big thing is to start partnering with some of the groups that are trying to do conservation outreach, whether it be conservation authorities, groups like Ducks Unlimited, or soil and crop association groups, which are working on some programs. I think the idea is to try to lever the funds as much as possible.

Finance committee  That's a concern that has been brought by our members from B.C. right through to the east coast: the fact that retiring scientists haven't been replaced. This gets back to the core discussion: what is the role of government research, and what type of mix of scientists do we need?

Finance committee  I think there are a number of trade barriers that do impact companies trading abroad; it is not only the tariffs. One of the things we're finding with a lot of the trade discussions now is that it's a matter of a combination of tariffs and non-tariff barriers. I think this is why it's important to have comprehensive trade agreements that broach a large number of items.

Finance committee  You mention a country like Brazil, which sort of pulls a cloak around itself as being a developing country and as needing all kinds of special support. But anybody who has been to Brazil recognizes that it has an advanced economy, with advanced agriculture. Actually, it gives them a very competitive advantage against Canadian producers.

Finance committee  Very much so.