International Trade committee  China is certainly a different kind of a negotiating partner from the U.S. and many others. However, we negotiate with countries all around the world, and I wouldn't say that China is the most difficult. It's all a matter of establishing the right kind of relationships. I think that while China does certainly have, as you put it, a kind of top-down type of approach to their government, you still get to a point, when you get to technical issues, where you're talking scientist to scientist.

International Trade committee  We certainly do have some information. I think it's clear that China has been more closely scrutinizing canola exports from any source. We have certainly heard the same kinds of rumours you have heard. We have not had any kind of formal notification or indication from the Chinese government that they were intending to take action against any other commodity.

International Trade committee  Well, since we have lost access for at least two companies on—hopefully—a temporary basis, that does put a big hit into our canola exports. We are certainly looking at other markets and will be trying to do the best we can in those. We have strong markets in Japan and Mexico and various other countries around the world, but it's quite true that they're not of the same size as the Chinese market.

International Trade committee  Well, we're not currently actively having those discussions with China at the moment. Certainly, this kind of issue is something that you like to get out of the way before you get into any kind of broader negotiation. We would like to see this resolved as soon as possible so we can move on to expanding our trade relationship with China and expanding our trade across all commodities.

International Trade committee  Yes, I would say so, because from the moment this issue came to our attention, there have been a significant number of resources from all of the involved departments to fly to this, from CFIA and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to Global Affairs, and others. This has been a top priority of our department since the issue first arose.

International Trade committee  Well, we are doing considerable advocacy with the companies in China, to the extent we can do that. Our trade commissioners are very active and engaged in this file as well, and other officials in the embassy in addition to them. So we're making every effort we can to keep some constant touch and keep up to date and—