Agriculture committee  I think you hit the nail on the head: we need a short-term solution. Getting the fees waived for our processing partners would be an amazing thing. Loan guarantees for the hog loan program or the beef program would give guys something they could bank on--they could go to their ba

Agriculture committee  You slipped--cash for producers.

Agriculture committee  I think we can compete with anybody anywhere in the world, given a level playing field. But you asked what it is we want and you want a simple answer. For the red meat industry, we need cash by Christmas.

Agriculture committee  I did mention that sow slaughter has increased.

Agriculture committee  In the last twelve months they've been up about 4%, but conversations I actually had this morning on my drive in...American producers are now losing $20 to $22 per head, and they're starting into a liquidation in their sow herd also.

Agriculture committee  Not production, no.

Agriculture committee  The volatility of the market is amazing. Romania went from no market eight or nine years ago to one of our fifth or sixth largest markets, and when it joined the EU it disappeared. Trying to find those replacement markets in the world trade that we're in today is very difficult.

Agriculture committee  If you look at it very quickly, we have estimated about $30 million in plant inspection fees and border crossing fees. That's maybe $1.50 or $2 a hog.

Agriculture committee  Mr. Miller, those are great questions. At the Canadian Pork Council, we invest in Canada Pork International and Pork Marketing Canada. We do a lot and spend a lot on promoting, not only internationally but also here in Canada. In Ontario, we've gone a step further and we've come

Agriculture committee  I'd like to thank the committee for inviting us here today to speak about the industry. The Canadian hog producers are facing a financial crisis that is unprecedented in terms of cause and unparalleled in terms of negative outlook. Simply put, prices are collapsing, input costs