International Trade committee  Yes, I can hear you.

International Trade committee  Yes, she is.

International Trade committee  Good morning. Thank you, Chair, members of the committee, and staff, for providing Grain Farmers of Ontario the opportunity to speak about the opportunities for Canada's farmers that will be gained through greater trade with Japan. I am Henry Van Ankum, a farmer from Alma, Ontar

International Trade committee  Well, essentially almost all of our exports to Japan are of the non-GM variety. That's their preference as far as the food grade uses are concerned. We are able to provide them, through our segregation system and a series of protocols, guaranteed, identity-preserved, non-GMO soy

International Trade committee  I don't believe there are significant exports of the GM variety at this time. They may use some for their own domestic feed industry, for soybean meal, but the bulk of our exports are the non-GM variety for food-grade purposes.

International Trade committee  This is an area where we really shine in Ontario, and it is that we have experienced growers who have developed a very strong set of protocols that are very specifically followed. This enables us to certify and deliver non-GM beans and all those beans pass a non-GM test before th

International Trade committee  Yes, absolutely, we could forward that to you. We have a set of grower protocols called CIPRS, which I referred to. Those have enabled us to certify non-GM content in these shipments, and I think we have a great track record with it and we can continue to do so. We've been able

International Trade committee  Yes, there is some potential for a specialty bean called a natto bean. It's a very small soybean that is used for a special, almost a snack food-type purpose in Japan. So we have some potential there to displace more Chinese production in that natto bean area.

International Trade committee  Yes, thank you for your question, Mr. Shipley. Certainly the Japanese, once an arrangement is struck with them, have held true to their word. A big part of doing business with Japan is relationship-building. Over the years, representing the interests of producers in Ontario, w

International Trade committee  You're correct. There is no international standard at this time. A non-GMO product must be 100% non-GMO. This is possible within our infrastructure system. That's why Ontario has been able to deliver into these non-GMO markets. The nature of our infrastructure allows us the oppor

International Trade committee  Yes, it's my understanding that there are the same quality expectations for the nattos. Appearance is a key part of that. They have to have a bright, clear colour and be free of any contamination or debris. But these are the same quality expectations we've been able to deliver in

International Trade committee  We have worked very hard at that relationship-building over the years. We have invested a significant amount of grower dollars in building that relationship. It's private industry that makes the contracts, but we have certainly worked hard. We've also received some assistance in

Finance committee  Thank you very much. Good afternoon, honourable members, and my thanks to you, Mr. Chair, and to the members of the committee for providing the Grain Farmers of Ontario with the opportunity to speak on behalf of our 28,000 members growing corn, soybeans, and wheat in Ontario.

Finance committee  Most of our anticipated winter wheat breeding advancements will be an advantage for the Canadian baking industry also. Sixty per cent of Canada's bakeries are located in Ontario, within just a few hundred kilometres of our one-million-acre wheat-growing region. Additionally, Ont

Finance committee  Thank you very much. There's a number of different aspects to your question. Certainly, the core of farming in Canada is still the family farm. I think it's important to acknowledge that the definition of the family farm has probably changed a bit over the years, in that famili