Agriculture committee  The process itself is not longer; it's the fact--

Agriculture committee  The fear of harmonization was mentioned to me. How do we get past this fear? Can we get more harmonization to have more products registered simultaneously? You've touched on this, but that's a question.

Agriculture committee  Apparently, products approved in the U.S. are automatically approved in Chile. Is that the case? And if it is, should we be striving for this, and if so, would that lower our standards?

Agriculture committee  It's not an automatic approval, then, which is obviously in our best interest, I would imagine.

Agriculture committee  This question has been asked of me before. Certain products in the U.S. are grown—apples, for example—with specific chemicals not approved in Canada. We import these products, yet our people can't use the same pesticides or chemicals. Can you comment on this? Is this not a danger to our health, then?

Agriculture committee  Thank you. Mr. Atamanenko, seven minutes, please.

Agriculture committee  Apparently, some new products are flowing, and we talked about that, but it still takes much longer in Canada than in the U.S. Can you comment on that?

Agriculture committee  In preparation for this, I talked with the president of the B.C. Fruit Growers' Association. You may have answered some of these questions, but I'll just run down.... For the first one, he talked about measuring the performance of how changes are impacting the new registration in Canada.

Agriculture committee  Thank you, Mr. Easter. Mr. Atamanenko.

Agriculture committee  I support the motion as it stands. I think it underscores the important of this and it's a statement that we as a committee can make and ensure the process will go through. I understand that. I don't think the timing will hurt what's happening right now.

Agriculture committee  I've chatted with Mr. Easter. I haven't had a chance to chat with Mr. Bellavance or Mr. Atamanenko. Right at the moment the default mechanism is very punitive on cash advances: 10% is added to your loan; the interest rate starts the day you take out the loan, not the day you defaulted; you're considered in default even if you still have the grain commodity in the bin but haven't been able to sell it.

Agriculture committee  Mr. Atamanenko, do you have any last questions? You have a minute.

Agriculture committee  I have three quick questions. It's my understanding that vehicles up to 10% ethanol or biodiesel are okay. You don't have to change the motors. Secondly, on energy efficiency, how much fossil fuel, say a litre, would it take to produce one litre of ethanol or biodiesel? Also, on CO2 emissions, what is the difference between emissions from a litre of biodiesel or ethanol in comparison with gasoline?

Agriculture committee  I'll move on while I still have some time. I am encouraged by what's happening in Saskatchewan, Mr. LaBelle. I think we have to do whatever we can to keep our rural communities going. I see this as one exciting way to keep those farmers producing and to keep all of the things happening in the communities that you've been talking about.

Agriculture committee  Thank you, gentlemen. Mr. Atamanenko, seven minutes, please.