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ARCHIVED - Canadian Food Inspection Agency - Supplementary Tables


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Response to Parliamentary Committees and External Audits


Response to Parliamentary Committees

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food (SCAAF)

  • In May 2010, the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food (SCAAF) tabled a report on its study: "Competitiveness of Canadian Agriculture" with a focus on market access for farmers, activities of the Competition Bureau, Growing Forward strategy, food labelling, and farmers' compensation. SCAAF made 32 recommendations to the Agriculture portfolio, which agreed to address each finding. Recommendation #4.5 suggests that "the government introduce a policy of systematic evaluation of the effects of all labelling and food safety regulations, new or in force, on the competitiveness of Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector, and take action to expedite the timeliness of the approval process without undermining the integrity of the system." The Government of Canada agreed with the Standing Committee that regulations, new or in force, should be regularly evaluated and that approval processes should occur in a timely manner ensuring that the integrity of the Canadian system is maintained.

Government of Canada's Response to this Report can be found at: http://parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=4654344&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=40&Ses=3

  • In November 2010, SCAAF tabled a report on its study of "Young Farmers: The Future of Agriculture." The Report focused on the challenge that young farmers are facing within their industry in Canada. SCAAF made 13 recommendations to the Agriculture portfolio, which agreed to address each finding. In Recommendation #3.7 the Committee recommends that "the CFIA and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency continue harmonization efforts with the United States and other countries to reduce the competitive disadvantages faced by the Canadian agri-food sector and to ensure that Canadian farmers have timely access to the latest technologies, including veterinary drugs and pest management products." The Government agreed that "the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada should continue to improve their collaboration with each other and with the U.S. and other trading partners to harmonize approaches, standards and data sharing where possible. This enhanced collaboration will result in improved access for farmers to safe, high quality, new and innovative agricultural production management tools."

Government of Canada's Response to this Report can be found at: http://parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=5051365&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=40&Ses=3

Response to the Auditor General (including to the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development)

Chapter 9- Animal Diseases- Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency monitors the international progression of animal diseases, controls animal imports, and responds to animal diseases when they are detected in Canada. Working with industry, the provinces, and other federal departments, the Agency delivers a number of programs and services designed to protect Canada's animal resource base. About $200 million annually—30 percent of its budget—is allocated to animal health programs.

Among these animal health programs, the OAG examined the Agency's state of preparedness for animal disease emergencies—situations that call for prompt action outside of normal activities. The OAG also looked at how the Agency managed recent animal disease emergencies.

Audit work for this chapter was substantially completed on 30 April 2010.

Agency Response: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency agrees with all of the recommendations. Its detailed responses follow the recommendations throughout the chapter.

Report: http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/docs/parl_oag_201010_09_e.pdf

List of recommendations & response:

http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/parl_oag_201010_09_e_34292.html#appa

External Audits: (Note: These refer to other external audits conducted by the Public Service Commission of Canada or the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages)
No audits by either the Public Service Commission of Canada or the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages were conducted at the CFIA during the 2010-2011 fiscal year.