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CFIA Version Approved by AHBLC January 17, 2014 and updated after conversation with VPs (Jan 23, 2014)
Evaluation: Evaluation of the BSE Management Program
Evaluator: CFIA Evaluation Directorate
CFIA Lead Program Area: Policy and Programs Branch
Report Approved by Evaluation Committee:
| Evaluation Recommendation | Management Response (Agree or Disagree and if Disagree, reason why) | Action Plan | Lead (position) Target Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recommendation 1. The CFIA should improve its performance monitoring practices relating to the BSE Program. | Agreed, to develop a process where BSE-specific data could be readily compiled in a useful format without manual validation and to increase internal awareness about value or use of performance measurement data outside of key users or those directly responsible for systems analysts. | Policy and Programs Branch (PPB) will work in cooperation with Science Branch and Operations Branch to develop an action plan to ensure that performance monitoring practices are meeting the needs for program reporting as well as for Canada's submission for negligible BSE risk designation to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). The action plan will leverage the work presented in the case study on performance measurement, which maps the data collection processes, compilation and uses relative to the CFIA's BSE Management Program and provides insight on how these processes can better align with operational/internal and strategic/external needs. | VP, Policy and Programs Branch (PPB)
September, 2014 |
| Recommendation 2. The CFIA should develop and implement an internal and external engagement strategy sufficient to build awareness of the continued need for a BSE program, especially in the absence of recent BSE cases. | Agreed and it should be noted that some decrease in awareness is a natural outcome of a successful program. Efforts have been made to continue to engage stakeholders in order to address two specific areas of concern:
The results of the EFB review and the Budget 2014 renewal of the BSE Comprehensive Fund send a clear message that Canada is committed to its current path to negligible BSE risk status. The international science is clear: BSE will not be eradicated; Therefore, ongoing programming, including strong communications, is needed in order to mitigate human, animal and economic risks caused by BSE (i.e. long-term roadmap exercise). |
Increase the level of vigilance within the Agency by updating training material and implementing yearly online verification of knowledge of inspection staff involved in the BSE program delivery. | VP, PPB
April, 2015 |
| Strengthening the communication role of the national collaborative surveillance initiative, called CanSurvBSE to increase involvement and awareness of industry and provincial stakeholders. | April, 2014 | ||
| Communication material will be developed and distributed to producers and stakeholders through this committee. | April, 2015 | ||
| The CFIA will continue to engage with partners and stakeholders in reviewing Canada's BSE programming (i.e. its BSE roadmap) and in communicating the Canadian long term approach to BSE disease control. Key partners that will be involved include provincial governments, industry, and OGDs (e.g., AAFC for market access; CBSA for import controls; HC and PHAC for public health). | September, 2016 (Following OIE decision on Canada's application for negligible risk status; anticipated September, 2016) | ||
| Recommendation 3. The CFIA should implement a succession strategy to ensure it maintains sufficient BSE expertise within the Agency for the management and delivery of BSE-related activities.Agreed and it should be noted that maintaining expertise within the Agency is a priority. The CFIA has developed integrated succession, retention and recruitment strategies including a new staffing model, online tools and talent management initiatives that are expected to contribute to the successful delivery of BSE-related activities. | A succession plan specific to BSE will be developed by all branches with responsibilities within the BSE programming. | VP, Human Resources
April, 2015 |
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| Recommendation 4. The CFIA should also ensure that employees responsible for implementing BSE activities have adequate training to fulfill their roles and responsibilities. | Agreed and it should be noted that currently, the CFIA is undertaking a development of a new inspection model that includes standard training, tools and competencies for inspection staff, including those involved in BSE activities. | A training plan specific to BSE will be developed and implemented. | VP, Operations
April, 2015 |
BSE III Evaluation – Management Response and Action Plan (MRAP)
| Recommendation | Response | Deliverables | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 - In addition to the ongoing role in BSE/TSE risk assessment and research toinform policy and regulatory development, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada should work with CFIA to institute regular opportunities toexchange information on program activities and results in order to inform future work and facilitate collaborative activities. | Agree | HC and PHAC will leverage existing CFIA-HC-PHAC governance to establish a schedule of meetings to discuss current program activities and results related to BSE/TSE, with the first meeting to be held by June 2014. | HC (Food Directorate), PHAC (Centre for Food-borne, Environmental and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases)
September 2014 |