Agriculture committee  We are both Fred.

Agriculture committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. As you said, my name is Fred Gorrell. I'm the assistant deputy minister of the newly created joint Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada international affairs branch. I appreciate your invitation to participate in this study

Agriculture committee  An equivalency agreement is when we look at outcome-based regulation. If it's an inspection system—how we inspect meat, pork, whatever—we have an equivalency that our outcome, the protection based on risk, is the same as the other country. It doesn't mean that we do something exa

Agriculture committee  That's a simple but very big question. As you heard, from your report that you tabled in November, there are a lot of non-tariff barriers. I'm going to get to your question, but I'm going to come at it in a couple of ways. One of the answers is, yes, for equivalency agreements,

Agriculture committee  It's a good question. My colleague, Mr. Seppey, would be much more eloquent than I in talking about those 300. The 300 is an example of the challenge. There are always lots of non-tariff barriers. We have the market access secretariat, which was in your report. We consult with

Agriculture committee  Again, I would say it's a straightforward question, and the reply isn't always easy. If I may, I'll just use an example. Whatever the country is, I want to export my greenhouse peppers. I'll put it in, and we will ask the other country to do it. One of the problems right now wit

Agriculture committee  Thank you for your question. I think Canada is very successful on international markets. However, Canadian standards are more or less in line with international standards. We follow international standards, but Canada ultimately sets its own standards. That is a good question a

Agriculture committee  Okay. Standards for imports and exports in Canada are the same. We may feel that it's not the case and that imports are subject to standards that are lower than Canadian standards. However, all the products made in Canada and all those imported to Canada must follow the same sta

Agriculture committee  In a sense, it's a bit difficult because there are more free trade agreements between Canada and other countries. Because of that—or thanks to that, depending on the viewpoint—the competition is fiercer. This is one of the challenges. The Canadian border is also more open to impo

Agriculture committee  That impression exists. Actually, competition between Canadian products and imports is stronger, which causes more stress. That being said, Canada is the fifth largest exporter in the world, but it is also the fifth largest importer.

Agriculture committee  Yes.

Agriculture committee  If you're talking about countries with which we have free trade agreements, the answer is yes.

Agriculture committee  I'll ask my colleague to answer your question.

Agriculture committee  That's right.

Agriculture committee  There's a lot in your question. To help clarify this, first of all, one of the things that has helped the food inspection agency, which, as I've indicated, is responsible both for importations and for exportations, is that at the same time there is the creation of the new interna