Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada http://www.archive.org/details/agricultureagrif04cana AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD MOVTN ^ Improving Food Inspection B*l Agriculture Canada BSoXA9 c*; i eLibra e 'v OltawaKIAow "neael'a9*ullure 1 630.4 I C212 P 1931 v. 1997 c.3 1*1 Agriculture and Ac: CanadS Agri-Food Canada Agroalimer 'iada Canada has one of the best The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFlAj contributes to human, plant and animal health by inspecting agri-food products to make sure they conform food inspection and regul- with regulations on safety and wholesomeness. The branch monitors grading for economically significant factors such as yield and quality and also monitors atory systems in the world. food label compliance and consumer protection from misrepresentation and fraud. Canadian consumers are The Agency provides a wide range of services and activities that have given Canadians one of the safest food supply systems in the world. The high quality and confident that the food they security of our food and food supply have earned Canada a world-wide reputation that opens up foreign markets to Canadian food products. buy is safe and wholesome. Controlling Animal and Plant Disease Our trading partners share Canada's reputation for being free from serious foreign animal diseases and plant this confidence, giving the pests enhances the international marketability of Canadian agri-food products. The Agency supports and manages pest and disease control programs, giving Canadian agri-food industry priority to those which best serve the public, such as import inspections and quarantines to prevent the entry of serious foreign diseases and pests into Canada superior access to interna- and by controlling or eradicating those which do gain entry. The Branch also works to prevent, control and eradicate domestic animal or plant diseases and tional markets. pests of economic or human health significance. Science-Based Inspection In health and safety, CFIA works towards international and domestic harmonization of standards. It supports the use of new science-based technologies such as the pre- vention-based Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) system to enhance existing inspection. HACCP systems are internationally recognized as the most effec- tive means of correcting problems before and during processing, rather than after- wards. The Government of Canada is encouraging all federally registered plants to adopt the HACCP approach, through a Biotechnology Agency (CFIA) to consolidate the five-year Food Safety Enhancement inspection and animal and plant health Program. Inspectors have been trained The recent development of promising services of Agriculture and Agri-Food to help establishments develop their own new agricultural products through Canada, Health Canada and Fisheries HACCP plans and to verify and monitor biotechnology prompted the need and Oceans Canada. these industry-run systems. for new government regulations. The first step occurred July 1, 1996 The Government of Canada has provid- Amended regulations under the when Health Canada's food inspection ed some $11 million to help federally Canadian Environmental Protection responsibilities were transferred to registered establishments implement Act and the Feeds, Fertilizers, Health Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada who HACCP protocols in small and medium ofAnimals and Seeds Acts adopt a now has responsibility for food recalls sized plants. This initiative will build consistent approach, providing for and the management of food safety upon successes like Caravelle Foods of health and environmental assessment emergencies until CFIA is operational. Brampton, Ontario. The Caravelle Foods of new biotechnology products before processing plant was recently recog- they are introduced into the market. In April 1997^ Inspection staff from nized as the first federally-registered Fisheries and Oceans Canada and establishment in Canada to have a fully The Federal Framework for Health Canada joined AAFC Inspectors operational HACCP system in place. Biotechnology avoids regulatory in the new Canadian Food Inspection duplication by using existing legislation Agency. The federal poultry inspection program and regulatory institutions to clarify is preparing to further incorporate responsibilities while maintaining high The new single agency is responsible HACCP principles as part of ongoing standards for the protection of human for setting animal health, plant health, improvements through the science-based and environmental health. and food quality regulations. The Modernized Poultry Inspection Project responsibility for setting food safety (MPIP). Canadian Food Inspection Agency standards and auditing the enforcement of food safety regulations is being The Government of Canada recently consolidated and enhanced within created the Canadian Food Inspection Health Canada. E CANADIAN AGRICULTURE LIBRARY BIBLIOTHEQUE CANADIENNE DE I AGRICULTURE 3 T073 0013b3Ml 7 Through the CFIA, Canadians are Canadian Food While not yet finalized, substantial assured of continuing high safety Inspection System progress has been made toward a standards and stringent enforcement of National Dairy Code and CFIS is food safety regulations. Consolidating Federal and provincial government continuing its work on commodity services into a single agency makes representatives are developing an inte- codes in other areas such as meat, it easier for industry, provinces, and grated Canadian Food Inspection poultry and fish, food transportation consumers to deal with the Government System (CFIS) to improve the efficiency and food retail establishments. of Canada on food inspection matters. and effectiveness of Canada's food For the agri-food industry, the new inspection system. agency should mean improved effective- ness and efficiency of inspection and Some 77 different federal, provincial quarantine services and an enhanced and territorial acts and associated regu- competitive position both domestically lations govern food in Canada. These and internationally. include core regulations that apply to all commodities and unique regulatory The CFIA will ensure better use of requirements such as product standards resources. Starting in 1998-99, the elimi- or unique operational standards for nation of administrative overlap and specific commodities or industry sectors. duplication among departments will save a targeted $44 million a year A federal/provincial system will build without compromising Canada's strong on the advantages of the new Canadian reputation for the quality and efficacy Food Inspection Agency in terms of of its food inspection system. streamlining food safety and market access while at the same time respect- ing the jurisdictions of both levels of governments. The aim is to harmonize standards, develop a common legislative base and apply risk-management princi- ples for a more consistent approach to the inspection and audit of food produc- tion and processing across governments and commodities. April 199/: Published by: Communications Branch,Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada For Publications or Information: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Sir John Carling Building, The Agriculture Canada Electronic Canadian Rural 930 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON, Information Service (ACEIS) Information Service: Canada Kl A 0C5 Can Be Accessed: Telephone: 1-888-757-8725 • On the World Wide Web at: Fax: (613) 759-6643 TEL.: (613) 759-1000 http://www.agr.ca e-mail: [email protected] FAX: (613) 759-6726 • Telnet: www.agr.ca (login: guest) Internet: http://www.agr.ca/policy/cris e-mail: [email protected], • Electronic BBS Internet: http://www.agr.ca (14.4 Computer modem): Agri-Food Trade Network Publication 1931 1-800-234-4410 or (613) 759-1100 Internet: http://atn-riae.agr.ca Cat No. A22-165/5-1997E • Fax-on-demand/Telephone: ISBN: 0-662-25723-5 1-800-234-2222 or (613) 759-6650 • ACEIS Help Desk: 1-800-410-7104 ® This brochure was printed with vegetable inks. AUSSI DISPONIBIE EN FRAN^AIS SOUS IE TITRE DE VERS UN SYSTEMSAMEUORED'lNSPECTION DESALIMENTS CANADIAN AGRICULTURE U.BRAM.....