Environment committee  Concerning the sustainability of the fur trade, more than 75% of the pelts that go through many of the auctions in North America go to China, South Korea.... Russia used to be a very strong market, but because of the conflict with Ukraine it hasn't been in the last two years. But every year the export of the product to China and Asian markets has increased.

Environment committee  In terms of trapping internationally, as we've mentioned several times already this morning, Canada is a leader. We have a state-of-the-art facility in Vegreville, Alberta, that does trap research and testing. Canada is looked upon by other countries around the world as being the leader and where the knowledge base is in trap research.

Environment committee  Internationally, there are many proactive communications programs in place to help spread the word. I would invite you to look at truthaboutfur.com, a fantastic website that gives a lot of information about the trapping community in Canada and internationally, including the United States.

Environment committee  I just want to start by saying that the fur industry in Canada has had the support of all three political parties, and the Outdoor Caucus Association of Canada. We have met with members of the NDP, the Liberals, and the Conservatives, and have had support from all three different members.

Environment committee  The feedback I've heard on the private member's bill has generally been very positive. As Mr. Cahill said, it's unfortunate that we need a bill such as this to permit people to undertake a legal activity in Canada—the activity that really founded this nation. It is being well received in the community.

Environment committee  If I could just jump in a little bit about government support for the fur industry in Canada—

Environment committee  —the governments have been very helpful. The AgriMarketing program, as Mr. Cahill pointed out, has committed millions of dollars over the last 10 years to helping market Canadian ranched fur overseas and within North America. The trap research facility that the Canadian government has supported for the last couple of decades has been key to helping Canada be a leader in international trap research.

Environment committee  If you're talking about the elimination of trapping completely in Canada, it would be a significant, real economic hindrance in Canada. It's important to know that the fur trade in Canada contributes over $800 million to the economy. Canadian trappers and fur-farm owners have earned over $135 million in pelt sales from 2007 to 2009, and that number is even up now because pelt sales did go up, up until about 2013.

Environment committee  Thank you very much. My name is Nancy Daigneault. I'm a vice-president of the International Fur Federation with a responsibility for North and South America. I'd like to thank the chair and the committee for inviting me to testify today. I will speak to you about the sustainable use of Canada's natural resources, trapping, and how it is an important element in environmental conservation.