International Trade committee  It's always good to go back to your roots, Mr. Chairman.

International Trade committee  All right. I like that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and committee members, for having us here today. My name is Roger Pelissero. I'm a third-generation egg farmer from St. Anns, Ontario. Joining me today is Judi Bundrock, who is our director of international trade policy. Egg Farm

International Trade committee  We do ship some egg product to the U.S., but under supply management we basically focus on the domestic market. When you're competing against the average-sized farm in the U.S., where you have 50 farmers who basically own 330 million birds, you're competing against a farm right

International Trade committee  That is correct.

International Trade committee  Mr. Chairman wouldn't have a job to go back to.

International Trade committee  Mr. Chair, if I may, I'm going to pass that question over to my director of international trade. She is far more versed on it than I am.

International Trade committee  Our market outlook is strong. We've seen phenomenal growth in egg consumption. We have more Canadians eating more eggs than ever before, but that doesn't offset what we've given away in the trade agreement. Farmers are investing more, which means buying more supplies, buying mo

International Trade committee  The average age is getting below 40, so it's great for the next generations that come back to the farm.

International Trade committee  Well, I think the first reason is that it is a shell egg, and that goes to one of the panel's questions earlier regarding Canadians seeing that “Product of U.S.A.” label on a box of eggs. If it's for processed products, such as in a breakfast sandwich sold by a retailer, that doe

International Trade committee  We're looking at continually investing in the industry. We've had phenomenal growth, but that won't offset, as I said, what's given away, because we know what's given away under a trade agreement is given away forever. As we continue to move in that manner, we have young farmers

International Trade committee  We're waiting for the announcement from the minister regarding the CPTPP. I guess we'll have working groups as we move forward on that new agreement, CUSMA. We'll just have to—

International Trade committee  Not really, no.

Agriculture committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good afternoon to you, to the vice-chairs and to the members of the committee. My name is Roger Pelissero. I'm a third generation egg farmer from St. Ann's, Ontario, and am chairman of the board of Egg Farmers of Canada. Joining me today is Tim Lambert, chi

Agriculture committee  Thanks, Tim. Another issue we are experiencing has to do with current labour shortages. The labour emergency across this country has left few sectors untouched when it comes to food production and processing. The situation has reached a point where food availability and supply c

Agriculture committee  Over the last number of years we've also done many things to make sure our farmers have all the tools necessary to get eggs to market. We have good collaboration with our members at CPEPC, which is the grading sector, and the processes in place that make sure there shouldn't be a