Agriculture committee  For the apple industry there are some key barriers, depending on the size of production and the operation you're working with, on ministerial exemptions, and on the movement of product in bulk. I know that some growers are in favour. There are others who are looking at how they can expand and develop their market with the removal of the standard container rules.

Agriculture committee  Yes.

Agriculture committee  I can start and say yes, there is. Part of that is ensuring a few pieces. One is a mechanism on an international level that the importer is required under a regulatory model to hold the specific licence so they can be captured. That's the first piece on the imports. From there the structure that needs to be created has to be enabled by the regulatory model on the sale and the transfer of product within that country, whether it's at a state level....

Agriculture committee  In Canada and the U.S., and for fresh produce only—

Agriculture committee  —but not Mexico. We could look at creating that model globally, but it needs government investment to get there.

Agriculture committee  We were involved with the RCC at the very beginning. Some very strong work around inspection modernization came out of that. As Mr. Bonnett noted earlier, it comes down to the issues that are put into the mix. You can create the infrastructure, but the issues are key on what the expected outcomes are and of course the top-down approach that everyone is aware of.

Agriculture committee  In the labelling modernization work that's currently under way, there are actually a few wins for the fresh produce sector. We're very happy with some of those components on a domestic level. I know there's no intent on creating a non-tariff trade barrier with the regulations. The challenge that comes into play is how to recognize the science for that label.

Agriculture committee  Sorry, Mr. Chair, may I make one quick comment to that? It will be very fast.

Agriculture committee  Smart labelling is in place. Smart labelling and access to information through the Internet or other means is there. Our regulatory model for labelling is a little bit antiquated in that we're not looking forward to access to information. I leave it at that.

Agriculture committee  Very quickly, we have the slow pay, no pay in place, but the bankruptcy component still eludes us. The Minister of Agriculture must champion this with cabinet to move this file forward. It is not the responsibility of Minister Bains at this point, and that is my understanding. There has been thorough research done, a clear understanding of the ease...and also a recognition that this committee and all three parties fully support this.

Agriculture committee  We know China and the work towards creating an agreement with China. There's business currently happening with China. Being paid in China is a challenge. We have member companies that are buying Chinese companies because of their secured customer list. Industry is finding a way to move around the mechanism.

Agriculture committee  I concur fully with Mr. Bonnett, and Mr. Drouin noted, I think, the integration between our North American markets, not just Canada and the U.S., but Mexico included. Similar to CFA, the CPMA is directly engaged with the United States, with the key states within the fresh fruit and veg industry.

Agriculture committee  We could spend the next hour talking about it, but afterwards we should follow up because this is a concern.

Agriculture committee  I totally agree with what Ron is saying. We see this often in that we have companies that do not export because of the cost of creating secondary packaging into another country. It is a significant burden on the grower-shipper. The GMO labelling discussion is one that is sensitive.

Agriculture committee  It's an ongoing effort by industry to work to ensure alignment. I'll be honest, it's very difficult to have perfect alignment across various corporate entities on a global level. That's where it's essential on a regulatory framework and in the baseline that's set. You set the baseline in a manner that recognizes that the public trust elements are in play.