Agriculture committee  We've also worked with CropLife Canada, the Food Processors of Canada, and the agriculture industry of Canada, and we've spoken of course with Grain Growers of Canada and the Canadian Cattlemen's Association. Certainly, all our members are fully on side with it, and there are many supporters from outside industry as well.

Agriculture committee  They're members of ours, and certainly they were very supportive of the business risk management.

Agriculture committee  Traditionally, extension work—and we're taking a broader definition of “extension”, not only about how to grow things better but also about business skills, market information from international and domestic markets, new technologies, all these kinds of things—had been done at the provincial level, and there has been a significant drawback from extension by the provincial governments.

Agriculture committee  CFA strongly believes in a balance between public and private research. The private sector, of course, does significant good research to make sure Canadian farmers are competitive. We also believe in stand-alone public research that is probably a more long-term investment, or more public interest research that governments are more suited to do.

Agriculture committee  On the previous question, I think you're right, and our producers are also saying that. They want to have equivalent standards when they're competing, because they compete globally against global producers. The reality is that different countries and unions, such as the European Union, have different standards, and people have different ideas of what is important to them as to what they want in their foods.

Agriculture committee  It's been varied. If you want to get into a philosophical discussion of who should, that's another question. But certain of the provincial governments have very strong programs--there's Foodland Ontario, and there is the example from Manitoba given by Richard Phillips.

Agriculture committee  Right.

Agriculture committee  There are other private labels as well. In Europe—in England, for instance—they have a brown tractor promoting European-grown foods. And national governments have taken that on. It's tough to say. We're certainly not suggesting it should solely be government's role. I think industry wants to take a role.

Agriculture committee  To answer your question, I think there is a cause to be concerned. As with almost anything, you can move into a niche product, but that niche product becomes a commodity pretty soon, just like ethanol will. I think the key is continual science and innovation. The first in will always make the most profit.