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ARCHIVED - RPP 2006-2007
Canadian Food Inspection Agency


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Vision:

To excel as a science-based regulator, trusted and respected by Canadians and the international community.

Mission:

Dedicated to safeguarding food, animals and plants, which enhances the health and well-being of Canada's people, environment and economy.

Statement of Values:

Our Values

As employees of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency . . .

  • We value scientific rigour and professional and technical competence. These play a crucial role in our decision making. We do not manipulate science to achieve a desired outcome but acknowledge that other factors must be taken into account in this decision making.
  • The reputation and credibility of the Agency are vital to our ability to deliver our mandate. As such, we behave, internally and externally, in a way that trust is preserved.
  • We are proud of the contributions we make to the quality of life of Canadians. We value dedication and responsiveness from all employees day to day and, particularly, during an emergency.
  • We value competent, qualified and motivated personnel, whose efforts drive the results of the Agency.
  • To develop effective policies and strategies, we value the perspectives of the stakeholders who are affected by our decisions.
  • We maintain our regulatory independence from all external stakeholders. We have the courage to make difficult and potentially unpopular decisions and recommendations, free from personal bias.
  • We are committed to our physical and psychological well-being.

Section I: Overview

Minister's Message

I am pleased to present the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) Report on Plans and Priorities for 2006-07. This plan details how the Agency intends to use its resources as it delivers its mandate of safeguarding Canada's food supply and protecting the animals and plants upon which safe and high-quality food depends.

The agriculture and agri-food industry generates prosperity across Canada, employing one in eight Canadians, accounting for more that $25 billion in exports each year, and generating more that eight per cent of our national GDP. It is an innovative sector that fosters good environmental stewardship and is a key contributor to the vitality of our rural communities and the health of Canadians.

Around the world, Canada is recognized for an effective and comprehensive food safety system. Productivity of Canada's agri-food sector continues to exceed that of other sectors in the economy, and has done so for decades. The sector is constantly evolving to meet the needs of consumers, both at home and abroad, making Canadian agriculture and agri-food products synonymous with high-quality and safety in the global market.

The CFIA is Canada's largest science-based regulatory Agency. Protecting human health is the CFIA's highest priority, as it strives to safeguard Canadians from preventable health risks related to the food supply, as well as those associated with animal diseases transmissible to humans. In addition, CFIA specialists work to prevent foreign animal diseases and invasive alien plant pests from compromising Canada's livestock, crops and forests.

These goals are accomplished through regulatory oversight of the agriculture and agri-food industries, using sound science as a basis for designing and delivering programs applied to food safety, animal health and plant protection, careful stewardship of the animal and plant resource base, and timely and effective response to potential threats to human health.

The Agency has had to confront a number of challenges over the year. With the continued presence of BSE and the emergence of avian influenza in Canada and around the world, the relationship between the natural environment and human and animal health has become acutely evident. Furthermore, concerns over the potential for a global pandemic calls not only for increased vigilance, but also a new and integrated approach to prevention and preparedness from all those involved in safeguarding public health — and will require strong multi-jurisdictional partnerships.

The CFIA's response to these challenges, as well as its ongoing commitment to protect the safety of Canadians and maintain a healthy and abundant animal and plant resource base in Canada, is found in the plans and priorities outlined in this document.

Strong partnerships are vital to the Agency's success, and I look forward to working with our federal, provincial and territorial partners, and with industry, as we continue to provide an innovative food safety, animal health and plant protection system for all Canadians.

The CFIA will be reporting on the progress against this plan in the Agency's 2006-2007 Departmental Performance Report.

The Honourable Chuck Strahl
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board

1.2 Management Representation Statement

I submit for tabling in Parliament, the 2006-2007 Report on Plans and Priorities (RPP) for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

This document has been prepared based on the reporting principles contained in the Guide for the Preparation of Part III of the 2006-2007 Estimates: Reports on Plans and Priorities and Departmental Performance Reports:

  • It adheres to the specific reporting requirements outlined in the Treasury Board Secretariat guidance;
  • It is based on the Agency's approved Program Activity Architecture (PAA) as reflected in its Management, Resources and Results Structure (MRRS);
  • It presents consistent, comprehensive, balanced and reliable information;
  • It provides a basis of accountability for the results achieved with the resources and authorities entrusted to it; and
  • It reports finances based on approved planned spending numbers from the Treasury Board Secretariat.

François Guimont
President
Canadian Food Inspection Agency

September 2006

1.3 Plans and Priorities Overview 2006-2007


      CFIA'S MANDATE
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is mandated to safeguard Canada's food supply and the plants and animals upon which safe and high-quality food depends.
BENEFITS TO CANADIANS
Public Health Economic Growth Environmental Protection Public Security Good Governance
CFIA'S CONTRIBUTION
OUR STRATEGIC OUTCOMES Protecting Canadians from preventable health risks Protecting consumers through a fair and effective regulatory regime Sustaining the plant and animal resource base Promoting the security of Canada's food supply and agricultural resource base Providing sound Agency management
PROGRAM ACTIVITIES Food Safety and Public Health Science and Regulation Animal and Plant Resource Protection Public Security Governance and Management
SUB-ACTIVITIES
  • Managing food safety risks
  • Controlling the transmission of animal diseases to humans
  • Regulatory research — Food safety, nutrition and public health
  • Promoting science-based regulation
  • Maintaining an effective regulatory framework
  • Protecting consumers and the marketplace from unfair practices
  • Certifying exports
  • Regulatory research — Exports and unfair practices
  • Protecting Canada's crops and forests
  • Protecting Canada's livestock and aquatic animals
  • Assessing agricultural products
  • Regulatory research — Animal and plant resource protection
  • Preparing for emergencies
  • Enhancing capacity to respond to emergencies
  • Regulatory research — Public security
  • Finance and administration
  • Human resources management
  • Information management
  • Corporate communication
  • Corporate governance, planning, accountability and stewardship
  • Legal services
2006-2007 PLANNED SPENDING ($MILLIONS) 353.5 119.6 106.7 57.8 n/a*
CFIA'S FOUNDATION
Sound science • An effective regulatory base • Effective inspection delivery • Strong partnerships

* Resources attributable to "Sound Agency management" have been allocated to the four strategic outcomes of the Agency on a pro-rata share

Agency Budget


Financial and Human Resources
Financial Resources
($ millions)
2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009
Net Planned Spending 637.6 630.5 560.9
Human Resources (FTEs) 6,401 6,061 5,861

Spending Profile by Program Activity 2006-2007 ($ millions)

Spending Profile by Program Activity 2006-2007 ($ millions)


Program Activities Planned Spending ($ millions)
2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009
1. Food safety and public health 353.3 310.01 281.43
2. Science and regulation 119.6 115.8 115.9
3. Animal and plant resource protection 106.7 106.3 105.2 
4. Public Security (PSAT) related activities 57.8 98.42 58.4
5. Governance and management  n/a* n/a* n/a*

* Resources attributable to "Governance and management" have been allocated to the four program activities that comprise the CFIA's Program Activity Architecture on a pro-rata basis.

1 The funding for Strengthening Feed Ban Restrictions has been approved until March 31, 2007. Authority to secure ongoing funding will be sought in 2006-07.

2 A portion of the funding received to mitigate the impact of the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) crisis will sunset in 2007-2008.

3 The increase in Planned Spending is attributed to approved funding for Avian and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness.


Summary of Priorities by Strategic Outcome 2006-2007
Priority Type Program Activities/
Expected Results
Planned Spending
($ millions)
2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009
Effective response to threats to human health

(Food safety and animal diseases that can be transmitted to humans, e.g. rabies, AI, BSE

Ongoing Strategic Outcome: Protection from preventable health risks related to food safety or the transmission of animal diseases to humans

Program Activity: Food safety and public health

Expected Results:

  • Food leaving federally registered establishments for inter-provincial and export trade or being imported into Canada is safe and wholesome
  • Food safety incidents in non-federally registered facilities and food products produced in them are addressed
  • Food safety recalls and incidents are contained in a timely and appropriate manner
  • Animal diseases that are transmissible to humans are controlled within animal populations

Strategic Outcome: Security from deliberate threats to Canada's food supply and agricultural resource base

Program Activity: Public Security (PSAT related activities)

Expected Results:

  • The Agency is in a state of readiness for an effective rapid response to emergencies
  • The Agency has the capacity to respond to emergencies
  • Decision making related to food safety, zoonotic diseases and public security is supported by sound and current regulatory research
386.9 367.1 315.3
Modernizing the regulatory system to address new demands and challenges Ongoing Strategic Outcome: Protection of consumers through a fair and effective food, animal and plant regulatory regime that supports competitive domestic and international markets

Program Activity: Science and regulation

Expected Results:

  • Transparent, rules-based and science-based domestic regulatory framework is maintained
  • The Agency contributes to the development and implementation of international rules, standards and agreements through international negotiations
  • Other Governments' import requirements are met
57.6 56.0 56.1
Effective protection of the environment and plant resource base Ongoing

Strategic Outcome: A sustainable plant and animal resource base.

Program Activity: Animal and plant resource protection

Expected Results:

  • Entry and domestic spread of regulated plant diseases and pests are controlled
  • Industry complies with federal acts and regulations concerning Canada's crops and forests and livestock
  • Entry and domestic spread of regulated animal diseases are controlled
  • Decision making (including regulation) in regards to animal and plant health are supported by sound, sufficient and current Agency regulatory research
53.3 53.3 53.0
Development and implementation of a Pan-Canadian Animal Health Strategy  New 53.4 53.0 52.2
Sound Agency management Ongoing Strategic Outcome: Providing sound Agency management

Program Activity: Governance and management

Expected Results:

  • Based on assessment against management accountability framework (MAF) indicators and measures of management practice.
n/a* n/a* n/a*

* Resources attributable to "Sound Agency management" have been allocated to the four strategic outcomes that comprise the CFIA's Program Activity Architecture on a pro-rata basis.

1.4 Introduction to the Agency

More than 6000 professionals are working across Canada to deliver all federally mandated food inspection, plant protection and animal health programs, as well as consumer protection as it relates to food. Four interrelated components or elements are key to the CFIA's success — sound science, an effective regulatory base, effective inspections and strong partnerships.

Sound science

The CFIA is Canada's largest science-based regulatory agency. It relies on science as the basis for designing and delivering its programs and as an essential component of its regulatory decision making. Science is an important tool for dealing with emerging issues such as the development of biotechnology-derived products and issues related to avian influenza and BSE. The specific activities for which the CFIA needs and uses science to support its daily work include laboratory science, risk assessment, surveillance, research and technology development. The Agency also analyses scientific research data and other information in order to provide scientific advice and intelligence that enables CFIA officials to identify and prepare for emerging issues. The CFIA's scientific expertise makes an integral contribution to regulatory policy development not only in Canada, but worldwide.


OUR PEOPLE — IN RECOGNITION OF EXCELLENCE

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada Gold Medal was granted in recognition of the outstanding leadership of the CFIA's Avian Influenza Working Group which has led to the improvement and enhancement of public well-being.

The Ottawa Citizen Vision Award for Human Resources Professional of the Year and The Hicks Morley Vision Award for Strategic Goals Champion, Recognize the accomplishments of CFIA's VP of Human Resources in 2006.

The Public Service Award of Excellence honours outstanding employees who have demonstrated excellence in serving Canadians, while reflecting values, ethics and priorities of the federal Public Service. In 2006, this award was granted in the category of Excellence in Citizen-Focused Service Delivery for the work of the CFIA's inter-governmental Japan Beef Market Recovery and in the category of Innovation for the successful development of original and reliable testing methods for residues of banned drugs in livestock.


An effective regulatory base

For a regulatory regime to be effective, regulations must be clear, enforceable, fair and consistently applied. The CFIA is continually reviewing and updating its regulatory base in order to strengthen its capacity to contribute to public policy objectives, taking into account the domestic and international environment in which the Agency undertakes its responsibilities.

Effective inspections

The CFIA is responsible for administrating and/or enforcing 13 federal statutes and their respective regulations. Sectors that the Agency regulates include agriculture, agri-food, fish, seafood, horticulture and forestry. Products that may be subject to inspection or certification by the CFIA range from agricultural inputs, such as seeds, feeds and fertilizers, to fresh foods — including meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, fruit and vegetables — and prepared and packaged foods. The Agency establishes compliance and enforcement priorities based on scientifically established risk-based strategies. Compliance with applicable acts and regulations is assessed through inspections, audits, product sampling and verifications. To facilitate compliance, the CFIA carries out education and awareness activities that are intended to clarify and increase regulated parties' understanding of statutory requirements and standards. Where significant non-compliance is identified, the CFIA uses a broad range of enforcement approaches from verbal and written warnings to Administrative Monetary Penalties. Critical to effectively fulfilling the CFIA's mandate is the ongoing design, development and review of inspection-related tools and processes.


THE CFIA'S LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY

  • Agriculture and Agri-Food Administration Monetary Penalties Act
  • Canada Agricultural Products Act
  • Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act
  • Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act (as it relates to food)
  • Feeds Act
  • Fertilizers Act
  • Fish Inspection Act
  • Food and Drugs Act (as it relates to food)
  • Health of Animals Act
  • Meat Inspection Act
  • Plant Breeders' Rights Act
  • Plant Protection Act
  • Seeds Act

Strong Partnerships

The CFIA delivers its mandate mostly in areas of shared jurisdiction and responsibility. Strong partnerships with other federal government departments, as well as provincial, territorial, municipal and Aboriginal governments are imperative to the Agency's success. In 2005, CFIA, working with provinces and territories, established a F/P/T Regulatory Committee of Assistant Deputy Ministers (F/P/T Committee) to provide the leadership and strategic advice required to develop and implement coordinated F/P/T regulatory and program initiatives. Due to the pressing nature of animal health issues such as avian influenza (AI) and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), these have been the focus of the F/P/T Committee over the past six months. The F/P/T Committee will also be focusing on issues related to food (such as meat inspection reform, veterinary drugs, fish), plant (such as invasive alien species, organic agriculture) as well as issues which may impact on the Canadian food inspection system (such as smart regulations), with the view of enhancing our partnerships and contributing to the strength of our regulatory framework.

We all share responsibility for setting and/or enforcing standards that support the integrity of Canada's food safety, animal health and plant protection systems and reinforcing public health strategies and emergency preparedness.

Within the agriculture portfolio, the CFIA has significant bilateral relationships with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC). One key area of partnership with the AAFC is the implementation of the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF). Initiatives funded under the APF, and which the CFIA is implementing, include developing and implementing regulations to control the manufacture of medicated feeds, and, with the provinces, implementing the On-Farm Food Safety Recognition Program.


THE CFIA'S KEY FEDERAL PARTNERS:

  • Health Canada
  • Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
  • Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada including:
    • Canada Border Services Agency
    • Office of Critical Infrastructure and Emergency Preparedness
  • Public Health Agency of Canada
  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  • Natural Resources Canada, including Canadian Forest Service
  • Foreign Affairs Canada
  • International Trade Canada
  • Environment Canada, including Canadian Wildlife Service
  • Canadian Grain Commission

The CFIA shares unique and complementary roles and responsibilities with other federal departments and agencies. With regard to the safety of Canada's food supply, legislative responsibility is shared. Health Canada is responsible for establishing policies and standards relating to the safety and nutritional quality of food sold in Canada and for the assessment of the effectiveness of the CFIA's programs in achieving compliance with prescribed standards. The CFIA is responsible for food inspection and enforcement activities. The CFIA is also responsible for developing regulations and policies related to non-health and safety related food labelling and compositional standards. With respect to animal health, plant health and food safety activity at Canada's borders and other points of entry, the CFIA establishes policies and standards and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) enforces them. The CFIA's relationship with the CBSA is key to the effort to keep invasive species out of Canada. Finally, and in light of the threat to human health from zoonotic diseases and the need to protect Canadians from threats to our security, both deliberate and unintentional, the CFIA has developed strong collaborative relationships with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC).

The scientific community is another of the CFIA's key partners. The Agency regularly obtains input from scientific experts when developing regulations and policies, designing programs, methods and procedures for inspections, testing and responding to emergencies. In doing so, the CFIA also recognizes the critical importance of working closely with its broad range of stakeholders. These stakeholders include those whom the CFIA regulates, such as registered establishments and importers, farmers, as well as associations representing consumers, public health, animal welfare and environmental interests.

In the global context, the CFIA strives to promote an international regulatory framework, as it relates to the Agency's mandate that is transparent and science-based. The CFIA also leads or participates in a number of international and bilateral agreements and arrangements, in support of Canada's regulatory objectives. Consistent with its international regulatory cooperation framework, the CFIA maintains close relations with key foreign regulatory counterparts.

1.5 Key Strategic Challenges and Risks

The Agency's capacity to achieve its strategic outcomes is influenced by its ability to recognize, assess and manage risk.

In accordance with the Agency's commitment to risk-based planning and the integration of risk management into all decision-making processes, the Agency has completed an intensive process of risk identification and assessment. Ten key strategic challenges and risks have been identified. Each requires management on a priority basis. Accordingly, included in the plans for each of CFIA's priorities for 2006-2007 are specific activities directly aimed at mitigating these challenges and risks.

The following provides a description of each of the CFIA's strategic challenges and risks and identifies the 2006-07 priority that will address the risk. The detailed risk mitigation strategies can be found in Section II of this document.

The CFIA recognizes that some of these risks, such as foodborne illness, zoonoses, and the entry and spread of plant and animal diseases will likely always exist. Accordingly, the Agency's goal is to reduce both the likelihood that these risks will occur and the consequences should they occur by improving our capacity to manage them. The remaining risks should be fully mitigated over time with careful planning and implementation of the plans that follow. Key risk mitigation strategies have been identified throughout this document with the following symbol " maple leaf symbol."


KEY STRATEGIC RISKS AND CHALLENGES 2006-2007 PRIORITIES
Foodborne illness
The Canadian food supply is safe and nutritious. The CFIA and its regulatory partners, industry and consumer groups have worked to significantly reduce the threat of foodborne illness in Canada; however, the risk that such illness will arise always remains. The Agency has two specific concerns. The first relates to the non-federally registered sector — a sector that encompasses a large number of food manufacturing and distributing establishments. Responsibility for this sector is shared with the provinces. While the products of the sector are subject to regulation, non-federally registered establishments are not subject to federal registration requirements. Inconsistency in inspection coverage across sectors and among provinces has led to gaps. The second concern relates to the increasing volume and diversity of imported food products. Changing consumption and trade patterns have the potential to introduce new risks related to foodborne illness.
 
Effective response to threats to human health

Detailed Plan: Section 2.1a

Emergence and/or spread of animal diseases that affect humans (zoonoses)
Animals, both domestic and wild, can transmit disease-causing agents to humans. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), avian influenza, the spread of West Nile virus and the detection of new strains of rabies are examples of the potential for diseases of animal origin to affect public health. Incomplete scientific knowledge around the nature and transmission of new and emerging diseases adds to the complexity of managing them. The CFIA protects Canadians from these types of    diseases by working in close partnership with the animal health community, livestock producers, provinces, and the international community in promoting early detection, reporting, and control of disease.
 
Effective response to threats to human health

Detailed Plan: Section 2.1b

International regulatory framework
Retaining, strengthening and reinforcing rules- and science-based approaches within the international regulatory framework will help to secure Canada's regulatory objectives and protect Canadian exporters from discriminatory and unnecessary barriers. The Agency must continue to work through international institutions to help develop and operationalize international rules and in other international fora to promote the development of international standards and policies that are based on sound science to ensure that human, animal, or plant life or health are protected in a world where agricultural trade is expanding.
 
Modernizing the regulatory system to address new demands and challenges

Detailed Plan: Section 2.2a

Domestic legislative framework
Outdated statutes and/or insufficient authority could impede the CFIA's ability to fully and effectively carry out its mandate. The CFIA will continue to pursue mechanisms to update and modernize its legislative framework.
 
Modernizing the regulatory system to address new demands and challenges

Detailed Plan: Section 2.2b

Entry and/or spread of regulated plant and animal pests and diseases that affect the resource base
A healthy and sustainable plant and animal resource base in Canada is critical to the environment and the economy. The CFIA, along with its partners, utilizes numerous measures to identify and reduce threats to the animal and plant resource base, ranging from surveys and movement control to eradication and emergency response. The numerous possible avenues for entry of plant and animal diseases into Canada, together with the potential environmental and/or economic impact of a major animal disease outbreak or the spread of a plant pest, make this a significant challenge that must continue to be actively addressed by the CFIA.
 
Effective protection of the environment and plant resource base

Development and implementation of Pan-Canadian Animal Health Strategy

Detailed Plan: Section 2.3a & 2.3b

Bioterrorism
An effective emergency system and the capacity to prevent, detect, and respond are crucial to maintaining Canada's public safety and security in the face of increasing pressure. The challenge is to maintain well-planned emergency response procedures to protect food, animals and plants from accidental or intentional events. The CFIA must also be able to act rapidly and effectively in response to emergencies. The CFIA recognizes that strong cooperative relationships with its regulatory partners, including other countries, are critical to the success of its security measures.
 
Effective response to threats to human health

Effective protection of the environment and plant resource base

Detailed Plan: Section 2.4a & 2.4b

Demand for new/enhanced services
Increased demand from producers and consumers for new or enhanced services are expected to place additional pressure on already fully utilized resources. For example, the CFIA must be able to respond to the growth in domestic industries, such as the opening of new meat establishments and more requests for inspection and certification of products. The CFIA must also be able to respond to increasing consumer concerns and needs, such as demands for better information on nutrient content and methods of production (e.g., organic, grain-fed) for food products.
 
Sound Agency management

Modernizing the regulatory system to address new demands and challenges

Detailed Plan: Section 2.2a & 2.5b, 2.5d

Performance information
Improved performance information is needed to better support day-to-day and public. Additionally, the potential for losing electronic data that forms the basis for developing performance information must be addressed.
 
Sound Agency management

Detailed Plan: Section 2.5a

Financial and human resources
The CFIA constantly faces the challenge of managing resources so that it can both meet ongoing activities, make strategic investments in program redesign and cope with animal and plant health emergencies. With specific regard to human resources, staff with appropriate skills, knowledge and abilities must always be available to manage and fully carry out regulatory duties in the face of new risks and technologies. This requires appropriate and effective training and recruitment.
 
Sound Agency management

Detailed Plan: Section 2.5b & 2.5d

Program design
Technological and scientific advancements result in the creation of products that are new to the Canadian environment and agricultural systems. In addition, advancements in science often bring with them a requirement for new methods of detection, testing and surveillance. The CFIA recognizes the need for ongoing review of program design in light of technological and scientific advancements.
 
Modernizing the regulatory system to address new demands and challenges

Effective response to threats to human health

Effective protection of the environment and plant resource base

Detailed Plan: Section 2.2b, 2.1a,b,c, & 2.3a,c


1.6 CFIA's Priorities 2006-2007

Effective response to threats to human health (food safety/zoonotic disease)   

Link to Government of Canada Outcomes:

  • Healthy Canadians with access to quality health care
  • A strong and mutually beneficial North American partnership

Protecting human health is the highest priority of the CFIA. The Agency strives to protect Canadians from preventable health risks related to food as well as those associated with animal diseases that are transmissible to humans. These threats occur as a result of a number of factors, including globalization, poor food production or handling practices resulting in the introduction of contaminants, animal diseases that are transmissible to humans, as well as threats introduced in a deliberate manner.

In recognition of the complex and multi-jurisdictional nature of the food safety system, federal, provincial and territorial governments are working together to develop a National Food Safety Strategy. This work will provide an overarching guidance and a priority-setting mechanism for food policy across departments and jurisdictions that will recognize synergies between health, consumer protection, innovation and the economy.

The CFIA is particularly interested in the potential of the strategy to provide a mechanism to address inconsistency in inspection coverage in the non-federally registered sector. This sector is subject to regulation, but not federal registration requirements.

The Agency's systems to control imports are designed to address potential threats associated with the increasing volume and diversity of food products entering the Canadian market. The Agency, in partnership with the Canada Border Services Agency, will continue to review, assess and evaluate its import programs, processes and controls in order to maintain and build an effective and efficient import control strategy.

The interface between human and animal health has become acutely evident through experience with diseases such as Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and avian influenza (AI). While some animal diseases are endemic in Canada (anthrax, rabies) others have recently emerged. These new diseases are important because they may affect a number of species and they can mutate into a form that can be transmitted to humans. Emerging animal diseases are on the increase due to the convergence of a number of factors such as certain farm practices, the domestication of wildlife species, the increasing proximity of livestock populations with wild populations and climate change. All of these may provide new pathways of disease transmission.

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) emerged as a new disease of cattle in 1986 (in the United Kingdom) and in 1996 scientific evidence established a linkage between BSE in cattle and a new variant form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in humans. Notwithstanding that the number of reported human cases of vCJD has been much less that was initially predicted, BSE remains a serious, but largely preventable disease with extreme economic consequences. Since BSE was confirmed in Canada (May 2003), the Government has enhanced measures to minimize the risk to public and animal health by enhancing existing BSE programming and implementing additional preventive measures. For example, the CFIA has enhanced the BSE surveillance program, expanded Canada's BSE diagnostic capacity, increased inspection of facilities within the animal feed continuum, enhanced animal tracking and tracing, implemented removal of specified risk materials (SRM) from the human food supply and increased investment in BSE research.

Furthermore, the CFIA has proposed regulations to strengthen the existing feed ban by prohibiting SRM in any animal feed, including pet food. In addition, the Agency is meeting the challenge of responding to new import certification requirements from individual trading partners and facilitating increased domestic slaughter capacity to reduce industry reliance on live cattle exports.

Avian influenza is another issue that is a concern from both a human health and animal health perspective. The potential threat of the Asian strain of avian influenza (H5N1, Asian sub-type) mutating to allow human to human transmission and potentially triggering a human influenza pandemic is a worldwide concern. The first and perhaps most important means of protecting human health is to control this disease within the animal population. To that end, the CFIA will continue to conduct surveillance, work to enhance on-farm and industry bio-security and enhance laboratory capacity to test samples from birds suspected of being infected. In addition, the Agency will continue to contribute to international and domestic emergency preparedness, should a pandemic emerge. This includes the development of the Integrated Avian Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Strategy.

The CFIA plays an important role in the partnership between public health agencies and departments and agricultural and environmental authorities working to control zoonotic diseases. In the areas of research, analysis and information sharing, the CFIA works closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Health Canada (HC). In the coming year, the Agency will work toward the development of integrated surveillance and analysis systems and contribute to the Integrated Avian and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Strategy. The CFIA and PHAC are also striving to have the National Science Centre for Human and Animal Health, located in Winnipeg, recognized by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) as an international reference laboratory for avian influenza and BSE.

In order to address diseases originating or reservoired in wild animals, the CFIA will support the full implementation of the National Wildlife Disease Strategy. This multi-departmental initiative, led by Environment Canada, will result in a coordinated disease response aimed at minimizing impacts of wild animal disease.

Deliberate threats to human health via the food supply or in the form of zoonotic diseases are also an issue of public security. The Agency, together with its portfolio partners, will continue to actively prepare to respond to emergencies by establishing effective emergency intergovernmental frameworks and plans. The CFIA will conduct emergency exercises with partners and conduct post-emergency reviews. The CFIA will also implement initiatives of the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America, a joint effort of the Governments of Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. The objective of the bio-protection component of this strategy is to assess, mitigate and respond to international threats to public health and the food and agriculture system. A key component of public security is the capacity to detect human health threat agents, such as viruses, parasites, bacteria and other contaminants in food as well as zoonotic diseases in animals. The CFIA will develop effective rapid detection tests and expand capability to detect a broader range of biological and chemical agents in food, conduct research on high threat zoonotic diseases, and continue the development of surveillance and communication networks.

Modernize the regulatory system to address new demands and challenges

Link to Government of Canada Outcomes:

  • A fair and secure marketplace
  • A strong and mutually beneficial North American partnership

Significant changes to food, animal and plant production methods, processes and distribution, combined with globalization, have put stress on the traditional regulatory model. This phenomenon is not unique to Canada. Worldwide, the pace of technological and scientific advances affecting food production and inspection systems drives regulatory reform. The challenge is to respond with modernized assumptions, definitions of risk pathways, performance measurement systems, methods and approaches. The CFIA will respond to new demands and challenges by implementing a new issue identification and streaming process which will include a thorough assessment of instrument options and early and ongoing consultation with stakeholders and partners. The CFIA will modernize the regulatory system by influencing international standard setting, pursuing domestic legislative reform, and enhancing program design, delivery and tools. This modernization effort will be anchored at all times by sound science.

International rules and standards form the basis for regulating agricultural and other exports and imports relevant to the CFIA's mandate. Under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, standards are set in a variety of regulatory fora, including the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Alignment within North America is a necessary component of regulatory reform and in influencing the development of science-based international rules and practices.

Outdated statutes and/or insufficient legal authority at times impede the CFIA's ability to fully and effectively carry out its mandate. Furthermore, the domestic legislative framework is weakened by inconsistencies between federal, provincial and territorial legislation. Accordingly, the CFIA will continue to pursue a more modernized, consolidated and enhanced legislative base that contributes to the effectiveness and efficiencies of the inspection and enforcement activities undertaken by the CFIA. As well, the legislation will need to provide the tools to enable the CFIA to address current and future challenges to Canada's food supply and animal and plant resource base. This initiative is in direct support of the Government of Canada's Smart Regulation Strategy.

The CFIA recognizes the need for ongoing review of program design in light of a range of factors, including technological and scientific advancements, and changing public expectations and industry practices. For example, redesign of the destination inspection program and the labelling compliance approach will address the needs of an expanding fresh produce industry and changing consumer demands for information about the food they eat.

Productivity can also be supported by using technology to better meet stakeholder demands. For example, in the area of export certification, which forms an important part of the CFIA's mandate, speed and security of data exchange for export products and eventually, for import products, will be improved by the development and implementation of an electronic, web-based export certification system.

Effective protection of the environment and plant resource base

Link to Government of Canada Outcomes:

  • Strong economic growth
  • A clean and healthy environment

Economic and social well-being are contingent, in part, upon the health and sustainability of Canada's plant resource base — which includes forests, agriculture and horticulture. This resource base provides significant export revenues as well as jobs. As the health of the environment is integral to protecting the sustainability of this resource base, protecting both the plant resource base and the environment on which it depends is an ongoing priority for the CFIA.

The impact of invasive alien species, which are plants or animals that are introduced into Canada that cause harm to local ecosystems, is often severe and irreversible. In fact, invasive alien species are considered the second most significant threat to biodiversity after habitat loss. The Invasive Alien Species Action Plan is a multi-departmental strategy to support effective preventative management of this threat. The CFIA's contribution will focus on enhanced and new prevention strategies, including the development and implementation of a new policy for the regulation of invasive alien plants (weeds), enhanced measures for the prevention of the entry of forest pests via wood products, and enhanced survey, risk assessment and detection capabilities.

Careful practices for handling invasive alien plant pests in laboratories are necessary in order to prevent their escape into the environment. The CFIA, with an external interdisciplinary group, is developing containment standards for facilities that handle plant pests. These standards, which will be finalized in 2007, will serve as the basis for CFIA approval/recognition of medium to high risk containment facilities and laboratories.

Safe and effective agricultural products such as fertilizers contribute to efficient production and maintenance of healthy crops and the environment. On an ongoing basis, the CFIA assesses the efficacy and safety of fertilizers and plant products of biotechnology before they are released into the environment.

Issues related to emerging technologies inevitably raise environmental, economic, ethical and social questions. Plant molecular farming, which is the growing of plants to produce pharmaceutical or industrial compounds instead of food, feed or fibre, is one such recent technology. The CFIA will work with AAFC and other government departments in support of a Government of Canada policy for second generation products of biotechnology such as plant molecular farming. In addition, the Agency will consult on regulatory guidelines for commercial production via plant molecular farming in anticipation of the need for related policy decisions.

The CFIA also contributes to the protection of the plant resource base and the environment through research activities. The Agency's efforts will focus on developing new or improved methods to detect plant pests and diseases. In addition, the CFIA will seek the best ways to manage high risk pests and diseases.

Pan-Canadian Animal Health Strategy

Link to Government of Canada Outcomes:

  • Strong economic growth
  • Healthy Canadians with access to quality health care

The social and economic consequences of traditional and emerging animal diseases can be enormous. Canada's traditional response to animal disease occurrences has been largely focused on managing them. That is, closely monitoring international disease progression, providing protection at the Canadian border, responding rapidly to animal diseases when they are detected in Canada, and administering industry compensation programs to encourage reporting.

In recognition of the interconnectedness of global ecosystems and economies, the CFIA recognizes the need to manage animal health issues both internationally and domestically in an inclusive and integrated manner, and to shift the focus to strategic, proactive disease prevention. While admittedly it is more difficult to invest in prevention off-shore, it is no longer appropriate to manage risks only once they occur on Canadian soil.

Public confidence is critical to economic stability and sustainability. Maintaining domestic and international confidence and promoting Canada's economic opportunities requires modernized legislation and new approaches to prevention, preparedness, response and recovery, biosecurity, emergency management, zoning/regionalisation, active disease surveillance, and traceability.

The National Animal Health Strategy Framework will serve to provide a coherent, integrated and inclusive approach between federal, provincial and private sector investments in animal health resulting in complimentary and enhanced capacity to effectively respond to risks along the wildlife, domestic animal and human continuum.

In the context of one world, one health, one medicine, the strategy will optimize animal and public health protection from preventable risks and provide five key deliverables:

  • Maintenance of domestic and international confidence in the integrity of Canada's animal health and food safety inspection system;
  • Reduction in the social and economic consequences of disease detection will be reduced;
  • Greater market access security, predictability and competitiveness for industry and regulated stakeholders;
  • Access to the best available science to support evidence based decision making; and
  • Consumers will be better informed and more aware as to the investments made to protect their interests.

Wildlife forms an important link in the chain of disease transmission from animals to humans. In an effort to address the risk posed to public health by wildlife, the CFIA will contribute to the implementation of the National Wildlife Disease Strategy, led by Environment Canada.

The CFIA will work in partnership with AAFC, the provinces and territories, and industry to develop a National Livestock Traceability Strategy, encompassing all livestock species. Regulatory tagging requirements, a national movement strategy and an age verification database, will contribute to enhanced livestock identification and epidemiological tracing requirements, including increased tracking of imported and exported animals.

The protection of Canada's aquatic wild and cultured resources from reportable diseases is critical, both socially and economically. The CFIA will take an active role working jointly with the department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada to implement a National Aquatic Animal Health Program which will respond to the evolving, international standards for aquatic animal disease control. This will allow the seafood industry to maintain access to important export markets and ensure the continued growth of the aquatic industry.

Provide Sound Agency Management

Link to Government of Canada Outcome:

  • Good governance / Accountability

The capacity to effectively and efficiently fulfill any organization's mandate and address priorities requires strong management processes, tools and culture. The Government of Canada, and Canadians in general, have made it clear that they expect responsive, transparent and accountable government.

Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) has established the Management Accountability Framework (MAF) to assist departments and agencies as they pursue management excellence. Every year, the Secretariat assesses the performance of each federal department and agency against key management indicators.

The CFIA believes that the elements and performance indicators of the MAF provide a solid framework for planning and reporting on Agency management capacity. Consequently, MAF-related initiatives will now be presented in the CFIA Report on Plans and Priorities under the outcome entitled "Sound Agency Management". The priorities identified in this section of the report reflect CFIA's response to the results of TBS's annual MAF assessment as well as key risk mitigation strategies that are linked to the Agency's risk profile.

In 2006-07, the CFIA will focus efforts on the identification of clear performance targets and enhanced performance reporting, coupled with building capacity for improved performance measurement analysis. In addition, the Agency will address a number of issues related to stewardship, including strengthening information and IT management and oversight of procurement and contracting management. The CFIA will also focus efforts on enhancing its capacity to deliver citizen-focussed services through program delivery initiatives designed to enhance consistency. This includes addressing official languages capacity in offices that deal with external stakeholders and the Agency's overall strategy for external service delivery, which will address issues such as consistency in service delivery across the country and quality assurance.