The CFIA: Who We Are and What We Do March 2014 Presented by: Aline Dimitri Presented at: McGill University

2 Who we are

3 The CFIA  The largest science-based regulatory agency in Canada  Responsible for delivering all federally-mandated programs for food inspection, plant and animal health, and consumer protection as it relates to food

4 Our Vision and Mission Our vision is to excel as a science-based regulator, trusted and respected by Canadians and the international community. We are dedicated to safeguarding food, animals and plants, which enhances the health and well-being of Canada’s people, environment and economy.

5 Our People We have more than 7000 dedicated and highly trained professionals working across Canada. The CFIA is organized into four operational Areas (Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario and Western): 18 regional offices 185 field offices (including border points of entry) 408 offices in non- government establishments, such as processing facilities The Agency also has 12 laboratories and research facilities.

6 What we do

7 The CFIA’s Legislative Authority The CFIA administers or enforces 13 acts and 42 sets of regulations: Food and Drugs Act* Fish Inspection Act Health of Animals Act Meat Inspection Act Plant Breeders’ Rights Act Plant Protection Act Fertilizers Act Feeds Act *As it relates to food And as of November 2012, the Safe Food for Canadians Act Seeds Act Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act Canada Agricultural Products Act Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act*

8 CFIA’s Operating Environment The CFIA operates in a rapidly evolving environment shaped by:  globalization  changing demographics  consumer preferences  complex trading environments  evolving science and technology  impacts of climate change

9 Managing Food Safety Risks The CFIA:  enforces food safety and nutritional quality requirements of food sold in Canada*  verifies industry compliance with federal acts and regulations  operates an emergency response system The CFIA manages about 350 food recalls each year.  provides outreach to Canadians on food safety *policies and standards are set by Health Canada

10 Protecting Canada’s Plants The CFIA:  inspects and surveys for plant pests and diseases  imposes quarantines and other control measures for plant pests and diseases  undertakes eradication activities where appropriate  verifies fertilizers and supplements for safety, efficacy, and accurate representation in the marketplace

11 Controlling Transmission of Animal Diseases to Humans The CFIA mitigates zoonotic diseases (diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans, such as BSE and avian influenza). It does this through:  prevention: risk reduction, disease surveillance  preparedness: effective policies, procedures and plans  response: actions taken immediately before, during or directly after disease emergence and/or spread  recovery: efforts to repair and restore

12 Protecting Canada’s Animal Resource Base The CFIA:  verifies livestock feeds for safety, efficacy and appropriate labelling  uses internationally-accepted disease control methods when outbreaks occur  monitors livestock identification requirements at livestock markets  verifies humane transportation and slaughter

13 Regulating Biotechnology  Products derived through biotechnology that the CFIA regulates include: plants with novel traits novel livestock feeds novel supplements veterinary biologics  The CFIA regulates biotechnology-derived products and conducts assessments for efficacy and safety for animals, the environment and human handling.

14 How we carry out our mandate

15 Maintaining an Effective Regulatory Base To maintain an effective and transparent system that is based on rules, risk assessment and science, the CFIA:  develops and updates acts and regulations  leads or participates in domestic and international agreements and arrangements  consults with other levels of government, consumers, industry, academia and other stakeholders

16 Understanding and Managing Risk  Corporate risk profile (CRP) a structured snapshot of the risks that may prevent the Agency from reaching its objectives  Integrated risk management risk management policy that is integrated into all CFIA operational and functional units’ policy, priority setting, planning, resourcing, delivery, review and reporting activities

17 Excelling as a Science-Based Regulator Science is an integral part of CFIA business through:  doing laboratory analyses, diagnostics and related services  developing methodologies to deliver its services  providing risk assessments, foresight and scientific advice  conducting research in support of all of the above  providing oversight of third party delivery of laboratory services

18 Certifying Exports and Controlling Imports The CFIA:  certifies food, plants, animals (and their products) that are exported around the world  controls the importation of animals, their genetics, and animal products  inspects and assesses imports of plants, plant products and soil  sets policies and regulations for the import of food, agricultural inputs and agricultural products (enforced by the Canada Border Services Agency)

19 Protecting Consumers and the Marketplace from Unfair Practices For example, the CFIA:  enforces standards for food labelling  tests and inspects seeds to verify compliance with the Seeds Act relating to trueness to type, purity, germination, quality and disease  verifies compliance with the Fertilizers Act relating to the efficacy of fertilizers and supplements  monitors fresh produce for safety and wholesomeness, compliance with grade, packaging and labelling requirements, and marketing to avoid marketplace deception

20 Strong Partnerships The success of Canada’s food safety system depends on working closely with:  other federal government departments and agencies  provinces, territories and municipalities  international governments  consumers  industry  academia

21 Meeting the challenge of the future

22 Change Agenda To shift to a more consistent and risk-based approach to the delivery of programs. Four strategic areas of focus: stronger, more consistent rules; more effective inspection; stronger commitment to service; and more information for stakeholders.

Legislative and Regulatory Modernization  Safe Food for Canadians Act (completed)  Compliance promotion (consultation)  Food labelling modernization (consultation)  Food regulatory framework modernization (consultation)  Outcomes-based regulation (consultation)  Proposed imported food sector product regulations (consultation)  Incorporation by Reference (consultation) 23

24 Safe Food for Canadians Act To protect Canadian families from potentially unsafe food Consolidates the authorities of the Fish Inspection Act, the Canada Agricultural Products Act, the Meat Inspection Act, and the food provisions of the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act. The Act focuses on: Improved food safety oversight to better protect consumers, Streamlined and strengthened legislative authorities, and Enhanced international market opportunities for Canadian industry.

25 Safe Food for Canadians Act (c’td) To protect Canadian families from potentially unsafe food Improved food safety oversight to better protect consumers New prohibitions against food commodity tampering, deceptive practices and hoaxes Strengthened food traceability Improved import controls Streamlined and strengthened legislative authorities Modernization and simplification of existing food safety legislation Aligned inspection and enforcement powers Enhanced international market opportunities for Canadian industry Authority to certify food commodities for export New review mechanism

Agricultural Growth Bill To modernize and strengthen federal agriculture legislation, support innovation in the Canadian agriculture industry and enhance global market opportunities CFIA Acts: Plant Breeders' Rights Act (PBR Act) Feeds Act Fertilizers Act Seeds Act Health of Animals Act Plant Protection Act Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act 26

Agricultural Growth Bill (ct’d) Encourage innovation and research in Canada's agricultural sector. Strengthening intellectual property rights for plant varieties in Canada under the PBR Act to: Expanding the authorities to include international scientific research when approving new agricultural products Reduce red tape Modernizing business processes - more efficient and effective processes and increase consistency Strengthening inspector authorities – tools and turn at border Enhancing global market opportunities Enhance trade and grow Canada's economy – access to international plant variety, IP environment, licensing and registration of fertilizer and feed operators facilities 27

28 Inspection Modernization A more comprehensive approach, single and consistent inspection approach that could be applied to all regulated food, whether imported, exported or produced domestically This approach clearly-defines responsibilities for regulated parties and the CFIA provides consistent oversight for all food sectors subject to regulations enforced by the CFIA expands the use of science and inspection data to help focus resources on areas with the greatest risk adapts inspection to focus on verifying the effectiveness of a regulated parties’ controls for achieving safe and compliant food

29 Inspection Modernization: Key elements Licensing of companies with preventive control plans. CFIA oversight based on the level of risk for both domestic- and imported-food sectors. Inspection using a systems approach and a performance based requirements Compliance and enforcement: one common compliance and enforcement strategy. System performance: mechanisms to evaluate the CFIA’s inspection program for consistency, quality of design and performance.

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31 Statement of Rights and Service for Producers, Consumers and Other Stakeholders Offer stakeholders and CFIA staff a clear, plain language explanation of the CFIA’s commitment to transparent decision making; accessible and timely information; fair, respectful and unbiased interactions with stakeholders; and responsiveness and continuous improvement. The statement and guides will allow stakeholders to become more familiar with the CFIA’s roles and responsibilities clarify what stakeholders can expect when dealing with the CFIA reference the CFIA’s expectations of regulated parties Complaints and Appeals Office

32 Questions?

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