Thank you for your testimony. Mr. Toews, you answered Mr. Easter's question about specified risk materials. You said that the funds have not yet been paid out.
In fact, since the budget announcement made by the Minister of Finance, no money has been paid out. In addition to that fact, for a while now we have had a hard time getting information about the programs announced in the budget. We were told that we would get more information in the spring, but we are still waiting. I would like to know if you have any additional information for us.
I will tell you a little bit about my recent efforts to obtain more information from the government about SRM. Since I could not get the committee to adopt a motion calling for livestock and beef farmers to be compensated financially for losses arising from SRM standards, I decided to submit what is called a “written question on the order paper”. It asks the government to provide us with certain information on a specific matter, and I believe that the government has 45 days to get back to us.
When I asked when the Slaughter Improvement Program announced in the last budget will be available, I was told that I can submit a request for accessing these funds during spring 2010, which, I believe, is now.
Do you have any details on applying for funds under this program? Do you at least have information from the department stating when and in what manner applications can be made? Or are you still completely in the dark?