If we think of the multiplier effects on the industry we add another 1.92 billion dollars. Over the last decade, over a billion dollars has been invested in the industry in terms of production facilities. That certainly adds to the tertiary effects of the economy. If we look at all of the effects of the industry, it contributes about 43,000 full time jobs as based on some multipliers that we were able to come up with. Let me suggest from an economic perspective what we think ought to be considered.
Performance measures are clearly preferred to prescriptive regulations.
We are too often in the business of regulating rather than providing some measures or standards in the industry, whatever the industry, can try to work against. Performance measures create incentives for innovations that increase productivity and profit within a standard that's set. Prescriptive measures stifle innovation. So, I think we need to think about that as we talk to our legislators about what they can do. Standards allow flexibility so that farmers can adopt a system that works best under their unique circumstances.