Agriculture committee  Yes. Thank you very much. The consultation process has been in place for a long period of time. There have been several different iterations of the agency presenting or going out to stakeholders as a whole on different proposals. There have been opportunities where we have provided our views from a science-based perspective on what animal welfare and animal health science show is important for the animals to have during that transportation period.

Agriculture committee  I think those are really important points, but it comes down to the length of transport that we're starting from. If we're starting with shorter transportation times, there's less of a crisis situation that would need to be addressed by providing that water and feed. Similarly, there would be a reduced need for handling of the animals.

Agriculture committee  Thank you. I would remind the committee that the current regulations stipulate that broiler chickens and laying hens cannot be be without food, water, and rest for more than 36 hours. The interval you are speaking about in Europe is 12 hours. My understanding is that the journey times are typically shorter and that if in the conveyances there are provisions for, for example, water to be provided on the truck, these provisions can be quite helpful in allowing for longer transportation.

Agriculture committee  Okay. They must be supported to be able to provide for this demand for humane products. Canadians expect to make decisions on food choices based on their own household budgets but assume that all the products on their grocery shelves have been produced humanely and that the government is overseeing that, so we would—

Agriculture committee  Thank you very much.

Agriculture committee  Thank you very much for the opportunity to present to the committee. In my oral statement today I'm going to address three different areas. First, I'll let you know a little about the sector we represent. Secondly, I'll speak to proposed amendments to the health of animals regulations, and thirdly, the importance of animal welfare in public trust.