Senator Moreau, for years, Canadian poultry producers were told by government officials that the DNA test for identifying spent fowl imports was scientifically valid and reliable. Yet, in response to my question on September 17, 2024, regarding illegal imports of spent fowl, the response on November 15, 2024, which was provided and signed off by the minister, said the opposite, claiming the test was unable to provide consistent and reliable results. This information was alarming to the Chicken Farmers of Canada and industry stakeholders because they had always been told the opposite by your government. When they asked for clarification, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada admitted the answer provided by the minister was wrong.

Can you correct the record and confirm today that the DNA test for identifying spent fowl imports is scientifically valid and reliable? If it is, why was I provided incorrect information by the minister?

For the benefit of the Senate, a spent fowl is a laying hen, which lays eggs for 75 to 100 days. Then its laying productivity declines, and it goes into the food market. That’s what a spent fowl is.

Senator Moreau, in spite of the industry raising concerns about spent fowl over and over, illegal imports of chicken continue into this country unabated. More than $377 million in duties, interest —