Agri-food and aquaculture: Targeted regulatory review - Policy and program initiatives and novel approaches
Published: June 2019
Last update: November 2023
On this page
- Label modernization for pest control products
- Modernize authorization process for certain pest control products for which registration is not required
- Modernize the post-market review process for pest control products
- Modernizing federal aquaculture regulations – General aquaculture regulations
- Create clear, agile, responsive regulatory structure for pathogens and toxins; streamlined and coordinated regulatory oversight
- Competitiveness and innovation
- Increased Canadian participation/influence in international standards setting bodies
- Use of foreign reviews and joint risk assessments to bring innovative food products to market
- Food safety oversight: domestic equivalence
- Internal trade issues relating to food grades, food packaging, food labelling and organic products
- Reviewing the policy for "Product of Canada" label claims for foods
- Enhancing the competitiveness of the cereals sector
- Pre-market assessment of agricultural inputs
- Approach to novel products of biotechnology (plant breeding innovation)
- Digital CFIA services
- Recognition of third party oversight
- Consistent inspection
- Potential duplication of oversight
- Food labelling coordination strategy
- Data protection modernization for pest control products
- Agile Regulations Table – Sector specific government-stakeholder collaboration on regulations
- Reducing risk and improving trust using distributed ledger technology (blockchain)
- Rethinking the regulatory relationship: applying innovation and behavioural science to promote compliance and improve risk management (novel regulatory approach)
Label modernization for pest control products
Latest updates
Pre-publication of the proposed regulatory amendment to the Pest Control Products Regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part I, has been delayed until Winter 2024 due to resource challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other competing priorities.
February 2021 updates
Health Canada is working to amend the Pest Control Products Regulations to permit use of electronic labels and internationally aligned label formats, as well as to improve the readability of labels. Canadians will have the opportunity to provide comments at a pre-consultation expected in 2021, as well as during the pre-publication of the proposed amendments in Canada Gazette, Part I, which is targeting fall 2021. Health Canada continues to advance work on potential statutory amendments to the Pest Control Products Act to broaden the Minister of Health's ability to make label changes without an application in certain circumstances.
Description of issue
The Pest Control Products Regulations do not allow use of electronic labels or, in most circumstances, labels based on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. As such, registrants have to bear the costs of paper-based labels rather than using an electronic label, and they don't have the option of aligning their Canadian label to a European one, for example. Additionally, labels are not currently structured or worded in a consistent manner, making it harder for users to understand and find the information they need to use pest control products safely and efficiently.
The Pest Control Products Act also does not allow the Minister to amend registrants' approved product label content without receiving an application for each. As a result, registrants must spend time and resources submitting applications even to implement simple required changes (for example, as a result of a regulatory amendment). This creates avoidable administrative burden for industry.
Description of approach
Health Canada proposes to address this issue by proposing amendments to the Pest Control Products Regulations to modernize pesticide labels, including to permit use of electronic labels and international formats (that is, the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals), and to improve the readability of labels.
Health Canada also proposes to amend the Pest Control Products Act to give the Minister the ability to make label changes to align with changes to regulatory requirements (that is, without the registrant needing to submit an application for the change).
Key milestones
With respect to amending the Pest Control Products Regulations, pre-publication of the proposed regulatory amendments in the Canada Gazette, Part I is targeted for 2020.
The proposed statutory amendments would be pursued via the legislated Parliamentary review of the Pest Control Products Act, which could commence in 2020.
Contact information
Policy and Regulatory Affairs Divisions
PMRA, Health Canada
Email: hc.pmra.regulatory.affairs-affaires.reglementaires.arla.sc@canada.ca
Modernize authorization process for certain pest control products for which registration is not required
Latest updates
With respect to the proposed statutory amendments set out in the Roadmap, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) invited stakeholders to provide input to help inform the development of potential targeted legislative changes to the Pest Control Products Act, including the proposal to create a new authorization pathway, via a consultation that closed on June 30, 2022. A What We Heard report summarizing the results of the consultation was published online on November 1, 2022.
A Notice of intent, on strengthening the regulation of pest control products in Canada, was published online on June 20, 2023 summarizing key concerns raised during the consultation, proposing regulatory amendments to address these concerns and soliciting stakeholder views. PMRA determined that policy and regulatory initiatives are sufficient to achieve the improve protection of human health and the environment from risks posed by pesticides and strengthen transparency. At this time, the proposal to create a new authorization pathway via legislative changes is not being pursued.
With respect to the proposed regulatory amendments set out in the Roadmap, pre-publication of the proposed amendment to the Pest Control Products Regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part I, has been delayed until Fall 2024 due to resource challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other competing priorities.
February 2021 updates
Health Canada has made progress on potential amendments to the Pest Control Products Regulations to update current authorizations for pest control products for which registration is not required. Public and industry stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide comments on the proposed regulatory amendments during the Canada Gazette, Part I, which is targeting fall 2021. Health Canada continues to advance work on potential statutory amendments to the Pest Control Products Act to make it easier to make risk-based authorizations and to exercise appropriate post-market oversight for products with lower well-characterized risks.
Description of issue
Industry stakeholders have indicated that the current list of authorized pest control products for which registration is not required is out of date. The products on this list are products with low- or well-characterized risk, such as products used for organic agriculture. Further, the process for updating the list via the Governor in Council is too slow and inflexible to keep up with changing industry needs. An 18 to 24 month process is required to add even a single low-risk product (for example, a food-grade substance), which is not reflective of the low risk presented by such a product.
Stakeholders also indicated that there is duplication between Health Canada and Canadian Food Inspection Agency in the oversight of nitrogen stabilizers.
Description of approach
In the short term, the Pest Control Products Regulations would be amended to update the list of authorized pesticides to include more products (for example, products used for agriculture, pool and spa products and treated articles). Amendments would also be made to allow nitrogen stabilizers to be regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency alone, rather than also requiring duplicative oversight by Health Canada. See Health Canada's Forward Regulatory Plan.
In the longer term, statutory changes would be proposed to grant the Minister power to add certain types of pest control products to the list of authorized products not requiring registration. This would enable products with low- or well-characterized risk to be added to the list without going through the Governor in Council process. Statutory changes would also be proposed to grant the Minister power to strengthen post-market regulatory oversight, including to manage any potential health or environmental risks arising from an increased number of authorized products not requiring registration. These products would be made subject to the same post-market requirements as registered products. This would include, for example, incident reporting and sales reporting, and allowing Health Canada to require recalls and stop-sales of non-compliant authorized products.
Key milestones
A public pre-consultation document on the proposed regulatory amendments was published online on 30 November 2018, with written comments being accepted for 90 days.
With respect to amendment of the Pest Control Products Regulations, pre-publication of the proposed regulatory amendments in the Canada Gazette, Part I, is targeted for winter / spring 2020. Final publication of regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part II, is targeted for fall 2020.
The proposed statutory amendments would be pursued via the legislated Parliamentary review of the Pest Control Products Act, which could commence in 2020.
Contact information
Policy and Regulatory Affairs Divisions
PMRA, Health Canada
Email: hc.pmra.regulatory.affairs-affaires.reglementaires.arla.sc@canada.ca
Modernize the post-market review process for pest control products
Latest updates
The PMRA expanded the focus of its modernization activities to include pre- and post-market processes and apply regulatory oversight across the product's lifecycle. In April 2021, the PMRA published a What We Heard report on continuous oversight, the key framework of this modernization project.
In June 2022, the PMRA consulted with key stakeholders on the design and plans to work towards implementation of continuous oversight.
Implementation of all project elements is targeted to be launched in 2024 to 2025, including a proportional approach to enable better targeting of regulatory effort and a streamlined pathway for pesticides of lower concern.
In June 2023, PMRA published the Re-evaluation and special review work plan 2023 to 2028 to inform registrants, pesticide regulatory officials and the Canadian public of the re-evaluation and special review work planned from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2028.
February 2021 updates
Health Canada completed amendments to the Pest Control Products Act as part of the Budget Implementation Act, 2019. These amendments reduce duplicative or unnecessary work related to the post-market review process and have come into force. In 2020, Health Canada also undertook broad consultations on the Integrated Approach to the pesticide review program. A "What was heard" report on those consultations will be available in early 2021. Health Canada continues to explore implementation details for the Integrated Approach to the pesticide review program, building on internal approaches initiated in fall 2020. Timelines for full implementation are under development.
Description of issue
While consistent with international standards, the re-evaluation process for pesticide products is resource intensive, and has been criticized as taking too long and lacking transparency/engagement. In addition, the Pest Control Products Act requires Health Canada to initiate a new post-market review of a particular issue of concern, even if doing so duplicates the work of another post-market review.
Description of approach
In 2018, Health Canada began a review of the Re-evaluation Program for pesticide products and will be considering opportunities for improvements to address challenges been identified by stakeholders.
As part of this review, Health Canada has consulted and will continue to consult its stakeholders and key partners to develop a plan to achieve a sustainable post-market pesticide review program that continues to protect health and the environment.
The review will result in recommendations to improve the re-evaluation process for pest control products to make it more efficient, effective and financially sustainable. These recommended improvements could involve possible statutory, regulatory, policy and/or process changes. Any recommended statutory changes flowing from the review would be pursued during the Parliamentary review of the Pest Control Products Act, which could start in 2020
Some operational changes to process may be possible under current legislation, and would be implemented as soon as practicable, such as enhancing the opportunity for stakeholder engagement.
In the short term, Health Canada proposes to amend the Pest Control Products Act to eliminate duplicative or unnecessary work by allowing the Minister of Health to: expand the scope of an existing post-market review rather than initiating a new special review; and, decide not to initiate a new special review if the issue of concern is being or has been addressed in another post-market review, and, in the latter case, that there is no additional information that would warrant initiating a special review. The Minister would retain the option to proceed with special reviews where it is in the best interest of health and environmental protection.
In the longer term, statutory changes may be proposed to more comprehensively amend or restructure all post-market reviews to increase efficiencies, avoid duplication of efforts, and increase clarity, coherence and predictability between currently parallel processes for re-evaluations and special reviews. Such proposals could be considered as part of the Parliamentary review of the Pest Control Products Act, which could start in 2020.
Key milestones
Health Canada consulted its stakeholders and key partners in fall 2018/Winter 2019 to inform development of a plan to achieve an efficient, effective and sustainable post-market pesticide review program that continues to protect health and the environment.
Short term: 1 to 2 years
Seek amendments to s. 17 of the Pest Control Products Act (concerning special reviews), to eliminate duplicative and unnecessary work, as described above. These proposed amendments are set out in the Budget Implementation Act, 2019.
Complete the review and seek approval to implement non-statutory components.
Medium term: 3 to 5 years
Pursue implementation through statutory or regulatory changes as required, as well as amendments resulting from the Parliamentary review of the Act (as early as 2020).
Develop a business case to support the long-term sustainability of the re-evaluation program.
Contact information
Policy and Regulatory Affairs Divisions
PMRA, Health Canada
Email: hc.pmra.regulatory.affairs-affaires.reglementaires.arla.sc@canada.ca
Modernizing federal aquaculture regulations – General aquaculture regulations
Latest updates
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) amended the Atlantic Fishery Regulations and the Maritime Provinces Fishery Regulations which came into force upon registration, May 14, 2021. DFO is targeting pre-publication of the Aquaculture Activities Regulations amendments in the Canada Gazette, Part I following targeted Indigenous engagement and consultations. Indigenous engagement and consultations are expected to begin in Fall 2024. The proposed General Aquaculture Regulations are anticipated to be created under the new Aquaculture Act.
February 2021 updates
DFO is developing the proposed General Aquaculture Regulations (GAR) in phases. The initial phases are underway to improve aquaculture-related content in existing Fisheries Act regulations, starting with exempting cultivated shellfish from the Atlantic Fishery Regulations and the Maritime Provinces Fishery Regulations as soon as early 2021. The phased approach will allow DFO to reduce red tape and administrative burden as well as address immediate modernization priorities in the short term while work continues on developing the proposed federal aquaculture act and GAR.
Description of issue
Concerns have been expressed about Canada's aquaculture regulatory regime for being too complex, overlapping and lacking transparency. There are concerns that these challenges hinder both competitiveness and responsible growth of the industry.
DFO is the primary federal regulator for aquaculture in Canada; however, some aspects of aquaculture also involve other federal organizations. While aquaculture is a shared regulatory jurisdiction between federal and provincial and territorial governments, and is generally viewed as a strong, robust regulatory regime for effective management of aquaculture, stakeholders have expressed concern about varying requirements in different provinces, which can lead to complexities and inconsistency, and the need for consolidated regulations that recognize and meet the specific needs of aquaculture management.
Description of the approach
Stakeholders have provided both specific and general feedback on how DFO can improve how it regulates aquaculture in Canada. As a way to address many of these concerns, DFO is developing the General Aquaculture Regulations (GAR). This initiative would consolidate DFO's diverse regulatory provisions pertaining to aquaculture into 1 comprehensive set of regulations under the Fisheries Act, which will enhance regulatory clarity and understanding and provide the opportunity to deliver a suite of amendments that will improve many aspects of aquaculture management.
For example, subject to further consultation, the GAR will address stakeholders concerns on the following:
- better clarify regulatory requirements by consolidating DFO's diverse aquaculture regulatory provisions into a single set of regulations
- increase transparency through enhanced reporting authorities and requirements
- anticipate and allow for industry innovation (for example via national standards)
The GAR will continue to respect provincial and territorial jurisdictions. DFO will continue to regularly engage and consult with its regulatory partners and stakeholders as the GAR is developed and implemented.
In December 2018, provincial Ministers agreed to support the development of a federal aquaculture act with limited scope that respects federal, provincial and territorial jurisdictions, and provides greater clarity to the sector. Though the development of federal aquaculture act is not being developed in response to the TBS regulatory review process, the legislative authorities in the Act will need to be established before the GAR can be finalized. The proposed Act, together with the GAR, will support industry growth and investment by providing clarity and certainty to the sector while enhancing environmental protection and overall sustainability.
Cooperation implications
Given that aquaculture in Canada is a shared federal-provincial-territorial jurisdiction and managed via complex federal and provincial regulatory frameworks, DFO will continue to engage provincial and territorial partners as well as Indigenous groups as it moves forward with the GAR and the proposed aquaculture act.
Key milestones
Regarding the act, DFO will engage with Canadians in spring/summer 2019 and 2020. At present, it expected that drafting of a new bill will begin in late 2020 with ongoing engagement with Indigenous groups, stakeholders, and provincial and territorial partners. Royal assent could be expected as early as fall 2022. It is expected that the department will be in a position to finalize the GAR once the act has received royal assent.
Contact information
Aquaculture Management Directorate
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Aquatic Ecosystems Sector
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Email: AquacultureConsultations.XMAR@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Create clear, agile, responsive regulatory structure for pathogens and toxins; streamlined and coordinated regulatory oversight
Latest updates
The Public Health Agency of Canada completed an evaluation of the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act and the Human Pathogens and Toxins Regulations including a Management Response Action Plan (MRAP) in March 2022. The evaluation report and MRAP were published in July 2022. A public consultation on the Canadian Biosafety Standard (CBS) third edition took place in Spring 2021. The CBS third edition was published in November 2022 and came into effect April 1, 2023.
February 2021 updates
PHAC and CFIA have advanced work to address misalignment and duplication between Canada's regulatory regimes for human and animal pathogen oversight. Key results to date include: successfully implementing a collaborative human and animal pathogen program; agreeing on the definition alignment in the next version of the jointly-published Canadian Biosafety Standard (v3) (publication planned for 2021); and CFIA on-boarding PHAC's case management system for containment laboratory licences.
Description of issue
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) regulates human pathogens under the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act (HPTA) and the importation of certain animal pathogens under the Health of Animals Act (HAA). The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regulates certain animal pathogens under the HAA.
Feedback received from stakeholders responding to the Canada Gazette consultation as well as feedback received previously from regulated parties has cited misalignment and duplication between Canada's regulatory regimes for pathogen oversight. This makes it burdensome for entities regulated by both PHAC and the CFIA to comply with their regulatory obligations and may discourage innovative research in Canada. Researchers may have difficulty complying because of different definitions of controlled activities for human and animal pathogens, or duplicative regulatory requirements under different legislation. This can cause undue costs, unnecessary diversion of resources, and slowdowns of innovative research.
Description of approach
To address these issues, PHAC and CFIA would collaborate to explore:
- Alignment of HAA and HPTA definitional differences identified by our shared stakeholders
- Opportunities to align, clarify for regulated parties and cooperate on oversight of human and terrestrial animal pathogens
Furthermore, PHAC would:
Propose to streamline regulation-making authorities in the HPTA to follow the standard Canada Gazette consultation process, rather than needing prior approval through both Houses of Parliament, to enable a more nimble and responsive regulatory framework for human pathogens and toxins while maintaining existing health safeguards.
1) Increased collaboration between PHAC and CFIA
There may be opportunities to increase clarity and decrease administrative burden on parties regulated by both PHAC and CFIA. To address these issues, by December 2020, PHAC and CFIA will collaborate to explore (1) alignment of different definitions in the Health of Animals Act and Human Pathogens and Toxins Act (HPTA); and (2) risk-based exemptions from duplicative regulatory requirements between HPTA and other authorities. Better alignment of legislative authorities would minimize regulatory burden and duplication while continuing to maintain appropriate health safeguards.
2) Regulation-making authorities
Current Governor in Council regulation-making authorities under the HPTA require the Minister to lay proposed regulations before both Houses of Parliament, except those to update schedules of human pathogens and toxins. The proposed legislative amendments to the HPTA would streamline the regulatory process by repealing the requirement for the Minister of Health to seek approval through both Houses of Parliament prior to making new or amended regulations, and instead allow the Minister to proceed through the standard Governor in Council process, including pre-publication in the Canada Gazette. This would align the HPTA with similar legislation (for example, the Health of Animals Act).
Key milestones
2 separate timelines will be followed to address the identified areas for improvement:
- Explore alignment of HAA and HPTA definitions and risk-based exemptions (2020)
- Proposed legislative amendments to streamline HPTA regulation-making authorities from approval by both Houses of Parliament to standard Governor in Council process: legislative amendment is being sought as part of the Budget Implementation Act, 2019
Contact information
Office of Stakeholder Engagement and Regulatory Affairs
Health Security and Infrastructure Branch
Public Health Agency of Canada
Email: phac.pathogen-pathogene.aspc@canada.ca
Competitiveness and innovation
Latest updates
The CFIA consulted a wide range of stakeholders including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and businesses operated by underrepresented groups on Framing Competitiveness and Innovation for Success from January 18, 2021 to March 19, 2021. Feedback was received from over 800 stakeholders. The CFIA highlighted five key themes where improvements could be made to support greater alignment and coordination across regulators and enhance program and service delivery. Many of these themes have crosswalks with other Roadmap initiatives. The What We Heard report on Framing competitiveness and innovation for success, which includes further details about the results was published on March 8, 2022. This will inform internal efforts to further enable competitiveness and innovation in the sector. This initiative is complete.
February 2021 updates
CFIA conducted internal consultations on an engagement framework to support developing a competitiveness and innovation policy in February 2020. An external consultation is planned for early 2021 to solicit stakeholder input on the main elements of interest to consider in future policy development efforts.
Description of issue
Stakeholders have commented that industry competitiveness and innovation need to be more prominently considered as part of departmental and agency mandates and activities.
Description of approach
The CFIA has a broad mandate, focused primarily on mitigation of food safety, plant and animal health risks, while also responsible for market access related activities. Industry stakeholders seek increased consideration of competitiveness in the delivery of regulatory programs. To promote all of these interests, the CFIA proposes to develop a policy that links innovation and best practices in risk reduction with competitive advantages in the delivery of CFIA services.
The policy would outline how the CFIA would provide competitive advantages in the delivery of CFIA services by incentivizing innovation and best practices in risk reduction. Regulated parties are required to comply with regulatory requirements; however, there are those that voluntarily go above and beyond legal requirements. This policy would outline criteria for this differentiating advantage that would include such things as: improving food safety and authenticity; enhancing plant protection; improving animal health and welfare; increasing environmental and sustainability benefits; lowering costs or providing other benefits for consumers/businesses; and surpassing federal and international standards and approaches. It would also outline how this differentiation would enable categorization of those businesses, through a tiered approach, for the receipt of preferred CFIA services (for example, fast lane for pre-market assessment, streamlined inspection regime, etc.).
A framework document will be developed to engage stakeholders, prior to the development of the policy. Feedback received during the consultations will help the CFIA in shaping its Competitiveness and Innovation Policy
Cooperation implications
Stakeholders will be engaged early in the policy development process to assess which CFIA services are of greatest interest to them in this context. Engagement will continue through to policy finalization and implementation.
Key milestones
The framework would be developed in the short term, in other words, by summer 2019, followed by external consultations with stakeholders in late fall 2019 / early winter 2020.
This would be followed by the development of a policy, targeting late spring 2020.
Implementation of the policy would be in the medium to long term, through integration in existing CFIA programs and services.
Contact information
Regulatory, Legislative and Economic Affairs Division
Policy and Programs Branch
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Email: cfia.legislation-legislation.acia@canada.ca
Increased Canadian participation/influence in international standards setting bodies
Latest updates
Canada continues to actively engage and provide funding to international standards setting bodies that are relevant to the Canadian agriculture sector. Through this funding, Canada was able to advance work in areas including: mitigating the spread of African swine fever (ASF); contributing to the development of trade guidance on e-commerce; and harmonizing the methodology to establish international pesticide regulations on agriculture products.
For example, in 2022, Health Canada supported the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives on the re-evaluation of titanium dioxide and aspartame. Agriculture and Agri-food Canada is leading an interdepartmental working group which has developed a number of international standards setting body specific projects for 2022 to 2023, including to support work on a global avian influenza strategy at the World Organization for Animal Health, as well as climate change and phyto-sanitary activities with the International Plant Protection Convention. The CFIA contributed to the development of international guidelines for mitigating the spread of ASF.
This initiative is evergreen, as Canadian participation in international standards setting bodies is expected to be ongoing.
February 2021 updates
Supported by funding announced in the 2018 Fall Economic Statement, AAFC, CFIA, and Health Canada have continued to advance Canada's influence and participation in international standards setting bodies.
World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH; founded as Office International des Épizooties (OIE))
Canada is working closely with the WOAH to ensure a strategic regional approach to preventing the entry and responding to the threat of African swine fever (ASF). Canada leads an expert group on ASF for the region, and supports the development of international guidance on the use of compartmentalization for ASF to ensure business continuity should ASF enter Canada.
International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)
Canada plays a leadership role in many of the IPPC's initiatives, including the development of a framework draft commodity-based standards for phytosanitary measures, guidance on e-Commerce to increase awareness on associated phytosanitary risks, and guidance for reducing phytosantiary risks associated with the movement of sea containers. In addition, Canada chairs the Sea Containers Task Force and is also involved in the North American Sea Containers Initiative. These efforts support minimizing impediments to trade and create predictable and expanded market access.
Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex)
Canada continues to engage in advancing Codex initiatives on developing standards, guidelines, and recommendations that protect consumer health and promote fair practices in food trade. This includes improving the procedures and tools to maximize the effectiveness and timeliness of Canada's engagement in Codex Committees and electronic working groups. Of particular note, Canada supported technical training on the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues approach on pesticide residue analysis, which recommends pesticide maximum residue limits to Codex. Over the next year, Canada will continue to participate in the work at Codex, including Committees focusing on antimicrobial resistance and pesticide residues.
Description of issue
Stakeholders encourage federal departments to increase investment in Canadian participation at international standard setting bodies, to promote Canadian trade interests, and improve harmonization with international trading partners. Maintaining and strengthening the integrity of the international rules-based trading system through strong international leadership is important to help Canada achieve export growth targets.
Description of approach
Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC), Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will enhance their engagement in the development of international standards.
This would be carried out in areas within the respective department's mandates (for example sanitary and phytosanitary measures, human health, technical barriers to trade, etc.). This initiative includes enhancing engagement in the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission's to help develop standards, guidelines and recommendations that protect consumer health and promote fair practices in food trade, the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), and the International Plant Protection Convention for plant health.
To support this enhanced engagement, AAFC, Health Canada and CFIA will also build capacity to provide expertise to inform Canadian positions and facilitate international standard development process (for example increase the ability to provide expertise to international scientific expert advisory bodies).
Cooperation implications
Participation as part of international standard setting bodies contributes to alignment of Canadian standards with international standards and helps address non-tariff barriers to trade.
Key milestones
The benefits and results will be realized over the long term since the development of trade rules and international standards are negotiated over several years between member countries of the relevant international organizations.
Contact information
Regulatory Policy Coordination Office
Strategic Policy Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Email: aafc.regulation-reglementation.aac@canada.ca
Regulatory, Legislative and Economic Affairs Division
Policy and Programs Branch
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Email: cfia.legislation-legislation.acia@canada.ca
Food Directorate
Health Products and Food Branch
Health Canada
Email: hc.food-aliment.sc@canada.ca
Use of foreign reviews and joint risk assessments to bring innovative food products to market
Latest updates
In 2021, Health Canada and Food Standards Australia New Zealand completed the first pilot to share the assessment of a genetically modified food product. Work is underway to identify further opportunities to use this new process.
February 2021 updates
Stakeholders have identified that "the pre-market assessment for certain food products can be lengthy". To address this, Health Canada is exploring further collaboration with like-minded jurisdictions to use foreign reviews in pre-market assessments of certain food products. Health Canada is finalizing its feasibility study on conducting joint pre-market safety assessments or sharing assessments. Health Canada will work to implement the recommendations from the study and intends to have processes in place by the end of the 2021 to 2022 fiscal year.
Description of issue
Health Canada undertakes a pre-market assessment for various food products (for example food additives, infant formula, packaging materials and processing aids) to ensure they are safe for Canadians. However, the pre-market assessment process can be lengthy, even though these products may have already been assessed and permitted in like-minded countries. This prevents industry from marketing safe and innovative food products to Canadians in a timely manner.
Description of approach
Health Canada will address this issue by exploring the feasibility of using foreign reviews and conducting joint risk assessments with like-minded countries to bring innovative food products to market in a timely manner.
Health Canada has cooperation mechanisms in place with various like-minded countries such as United States, Australia, New Zealand as well as the European Union. These arrangements enable the department to leverage scientific and technical capacity, undertake joint assessments and facilitate regulatory alignment in areas of mutual interest.
In the short term, Health Canada will complete a feasibility study to identify potential product lines and conditions for which foreign reviews and joint risk assessments can be undertaken. Health Canada will explore how the existing agreements can be leveraged for joint safety assessments or sharing assessments. Following this, Health Canada will establish potential conditions, product lines and criteria, under which Health Canada can consider using foreign reviews. Health Canada will also need to conduct a thorough comparability analysis (both in terms of regulatory frameworks and safety assessments) to determine the suitability of using foreign reviews. This will lay the foundation for Health Canada to proceed with establishing a process for working with foreign regulators for pre-market approvals and joint risk assessments.
Any new approach to support the use of foreign reviews and joint risk assessments will maintain the primacy of health and safety and the integrity of the science-based decision-making process, while also supporting the economic and innovation interests of the agri-food industry.
Cooperation implications
This initiative will allow Canada to enhance alignment of regulatory approaches with trusted foreign regulators (for example, United States, European Union, Australia, New Zealand).
Key milestones
Health Canada is expected to complete its feasibility study by summer 2020, following which Health Canada will initiate work to establish a process for use of foreign reviews and joint risk assessment in fall 2020. Health Canada is expected to have processes in place by the end of the 2021 to 2022 fiscal year.
Contact information
Food Directorate
Health Products and Food Branch
Health Canada
Email: hc.food-aliment.sc@canada.ca
Food safety oversight: domestic equivalence
Latest updates
The CFIA completed the development of the Domestic Comparability Assessment Tool (DCAT). Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba have completed their voluntary self-assessments using the DCAT. Provinces and territories can self-assess their food safety systems against federal standards at any time using the tool. Separately, in collaboration with the provinces and territories and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the CFIA is working to address challenges associated with interprovincial trade. This is a priority that was identified by Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers of Agriculture at their July 2022 Annual Conference.
February 2021 updates
CFIA developed a domestic comparability assessment tool (DCAT) for provincial-territorial governments to assess their food safety systems against the federal system. This was completed in support of identifying points of comparability and areas that may require modification. Currently, Saskatchewan has assessed their provincial meat inspection system using the DCAT. Alberta and Manitoba are also undertaking the process.
Description of issue
Federal regulations apply to businesses that trade across provincial/territorial or international borders, while provincial/territorial regulations apply to those that sell only within their province/territory.
To trade inter-provincially, businesses must meet all the applicable federal requirements to get a federal license. The example most often cited by industry is that requirements specify that meat and meat products can only be commercially moved across provincial borders if they are derived from the federal meat inspection system.
The requirements for obtaining a federal registration or license were often more rigorous and, consequently, more costly and time consuming. The former Meat Inspection Act/Regulations, which were replaced by the Safe Food for Canadians Act and Regulations on January 15, 2019, were prescriptive in nature. There were no provisions for exemptions based on recognition of provincial or territorial regulatory systems.
Description of approach
On January 15, 2019, the Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA) and Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) came into force. The SFCR apply international food safety standards established by Codex Alimentarius to all food that is imported, exported or traded between provinces, and requires that all food products traded across Canada meet the same food safety outcomes.
The Regulatory Reconciliation and Cooperation Table (RCT) has tasked the Federal/Provincial/Territorial (FPT) Food Safety Committee to work on the development of a domestic food safety recognition framework, similar to the CFIA's Foreign Food Safety Systems Recognition Framework. Once completed, this framework will enable provinces and territories to self-assess against federal criteria to determine if there are any gaps or areas where they may wish to align their food safety system.
For provinces and territories that choose to assess their food safety systems against the federal regime, the shift to outcome based requirements under SFCR will facilitate PTs assessment of their food safety legislation which is an essential component of the overall food safety systems assessment.
Once a province or territory undertakes a self-assessment of their food safety system against the federal regime, this will serve to determine if there are any gaps or areas that can be better aligned. At this point a determination can be made that a PT food inspection system is equivalent to, or exceeds, federal standards, leading to recognition agreements to formalize equivalence.
Cooperation implications
Provinces and territories will play a role in self-assessing systems against federal criteria, as well as making any necessary adjustments to achieve equivalence.
Key milestones
A tool to assess the equivalency of food safety systems is expected to be complete in spring 2019.
The development of the first recognition agreement to formalize equivalence of a provincial food safety system is anticipated no sooner than 2020.
Contact information
Regulatory, Legislative and Economic Affairs Division
Policy and Programs Branch
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Email: cfia.legislation-legislation.acia@canada.ca
Internal trade issues relating to food grades, food packaging, food labelling and organic products
Latest updates
The food grades and organic standards were deemed complete when the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations came into force on January 15, 2019. Food packaging and labelling changes were part of regulatory amendments made in support of the Food Product Innovation initiative, which were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II in July 2022. This initiative is complete.
February 2021 updates
The proposed amendments to support food labelling modernization (presently called "food product innovation") were pre-published in Canada Gazette, Part I. CFIA is working towards publishing the final regulations on food product innovation in Canada Gazette, Part II.
Description of issue
The Economic Strategy Table (EST) report on the agri-food sector recommended that internal trade barriers on certification of organic standards, packaging, labelling and grading requirements be addressed in order to improve interprovincial commerce within Canada.
Specifically, actions were recommended in the following priority areas:
Certification of organic standards
There are national standards for labelling organic agriculture and organic aquaculture developed by the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB). The Safe Food for Canadian Regulations (SFCR) incorporates both of these standards into the federal organic regime. Some provinces have organic regimes that make use of the CGSB labelling standards, but others do not. As a result, some manufacturers of organic food may face uncertainty when trying to label their products for different markets within Canada. The EST report recommends a consistent approach to the use of these standards across jurisdictions in Canada to create a level playing field.
Packaging and grade requirements
There are packaging and grade requirements that must be met in order for certain foods to move from one province to another or to be imported, while such requirements do not apply to foods shipped within a province. For example, there are limits on the size of shipment of fresh graded produce that can move across a provincial border before seeking a Ministerial exemption. The EST report has identified these as issues that affect productivity and efficiency.
Food labelling
The Economic Strategy Tables did not highlight a specific federal labelling requirement that is creating a barrier to internal trade. However, there may be certain provincial requirements that differ from federal requirements.
Description of approach
The Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR), which came into force on January 15, 2019, harmonized grade inspection requirements such that grade verification inspections will be applied consistently across Canada. Incorporation by Reference of grades in the SFCR will facilitate future updates, based on industry consensus. Additionally, the SFCR introduce provisions that enable foods with certain non-compliances, including with respect to grades, to be moved from one province to another on condition that the food is brought into compliance within 3 months.
With respect to organic, the CGSB standards are available for adoption by provinces and territories that may be interested in applying them within those jurisdictions. CFIA is available to provide information on the federal regime upon request.
With respect to packaging, the food labelling modernization initiative (presently called "food product innovation") proposed to repeal certain requirements for standard weights and container sizes, and modernize this framework by incorporating by reference the list of sizes to enable further updates. This would remove some of the current limitations on the movement of food across provincial borders due to prescribed package size requirements. Pre-regulatory proposals to this effect were consulted on in 2017, and a regulatory package to implement the food labelling modernization proposals is part of the CFIA's Forward Regulatory Plan.
The majority of federal food labelling requirements apply at all levels of trade in Canada and do not restrict trade between provinces. However, there are a limited number of trade and commerce related federal labelling requirements that apply only to specific commodities in international and interprovincial trade. These are referred to as commodity-specific labelling requirements. The CFIA's food labelling modernization initiative will streamline commodity-specific labelling requirements and reduce the number of these provisions. In some cases there may be differences in labelling requirements between provinces due to provincial requirements that are outside of the authorities of the departments and agencies involved in the federal regulatory review.
Cooperation implications
The grades and organic aquaculture issues were included in the work plan for the Regulatory Reconciliation and Cooperation Table that was created as part of the Canada Free Trade Agreement.
Issues related to consistency of organic standards for products traded intra-provincially rely on provincial and territorial adoption of the federal standard.
Key milestones
For food grades and organic aquaculture, these items were addressed (to the extent possibly at the federal level) when the SFCR came into force on January 15, 2019.
Food packaging changes will be made as part of food labelling modernization amendments. Pre-publication of these regulations is anticipated in spring 2019.
Further information
The CFIA's industry labelling tool provides additional information on grades and organic labelling.
Information on organic aquaculture is also accessible on the CFIA website.
More information on the food labelling modernization regulatory initiative (presently called "food product innovation") can be found in the CFIA's Forward Regulatory Plan.
Contact information
Regulatory, Legislative and Economic Affairs Division
Policy and Programs Branch
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Email: cfia.legislation-legislation.acia@canada.ca
Reviewing the policy for "Product of Canada" label claims for foods
Latest updates
In 2019 to 2020, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada conducted targeted engagement activities with industry stakeholders, and the CFIA led a broader consultation with Canadians. These consultations led to recommendations to revise the criteria for the "Product of Canada" voluntary claim. A final decision on the proposal has been delayed.
February 2021 updates
In 2019 to 2020, AAFC conducted engagement activities with industry members and CFIA led a broader consultation with all Canadians to arrive at a general consensus on a proposed new policy for the "Product of Canada" claim. While there are different policy considerations, work is expected to be completed soon. Increasing the number of products that can be labelled as "Made in Canada" or "Product of Canada" will help Canadians make informed choices, increase demand, and support economic recovery.
Description of issue
The current "Product of Canada" guidelines allow this claim to be used on food when all or virtually all ingredients, processing, and labour are Canadian. All or virtually all is considered to mean greater than 98%. Some industry stakeholders believe that this high threshold reduces their ability to offer products identified as Canadian to consumers. Industry stakeholders have also noted that this level does not align with "Product of" claims for Canadian provinces or trading partners. For example, a food can be called a product of Quebec ("Aliments du Québec") with 85% Quebec content, but that same food would not be considered "Product of Canada.
The "Made in Canada" guidelines were also referenced in the Economic Strategy Table reports but were subject to fewer comments. "Made in Canada" claims can be made on a food when the last substantial transformation of the product occurred in Canada (for example, baking ingredients into a cookie), even if some ingredients are from other countries. If the "Made in Canada" claim is used, it must also include a qualifying statement to indicate that the food product is made in Canada from imported ingredients or a combination of imported and domestic ingredients. The qualifying statements that can be used include "Made in Canada from domestic and imported ingredients" or "Made in Canada from imported ingredients".
Description of approach
Based on feedback, the CFIA and AAFC will collaborate to review these guidelines.
AAFC will facilitate discussions with industry stakeholders aimed to achieve general agreement on potential new criteria for using the Product of Canada and Made in Canada claims on food, with CFIA support.
The CFIA and AAFC will also undertake work to validate any proposed changes to the policy with industry stakeholders and the public. Once validated, a revised policy would be implemented.
Any modifications to the guidelines on "Product of Canada" and "Made in Canada" claims would be intended to better reflect consumer and industry expectations and better reflect the reality of Canadian food production. Changes that enable more products to use the "Product of Canada" claim to highlight Canadian content could elevate the profile of Canadian products and may also help to advance the "Canada Brand" initiative, which is 1 of the 6 signature initiatives proposed by Canada's Economic Strategy Tables. Furthermore, revised guidelines may provide an incentive for Canadian companies to increase their use of the "Product of Canada" claim, which in turn could support increased demand for Canadian agricultural inputs.
Cooperation implications
Reviewing these guidelines will provide an opportunity to bring Canadian and provincial origin claims into closer alignment.
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) maintains a similar policy on Product of Canada for consumer products other than food. The CFIA and AAFC will communicate with ISED on any potential changes to the "Product of Canada" and "Made in Canada" guidelines for food.
Key milestones
This work is planned to be completed in a medium term timeline (that is, up to 3 years).
The overall breakdown of the timelines is as follows:
The 2019 to 2020 fiscal year: AAFC will conduct industry engagement aimed at achieving general agreement on a new policy. AAFC and CFIA will then validate any proposed change to the guidelines with a broader group of industry stakeholders and the public. Following the consultations, recommendations will be provided to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for consideration.
The 2020 to 2021 fiscal year: Implementation of new policy
Further information
The current Product of Canada and Made in Canada guidelines are accessible on the CFIA website.
Contact information
Regulatory Policy Coordination Office
Strategic Policy Branch
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Email: aafc.regulation-reglementation.aac@canada.ca
Regulatory, Legislative and Economic Affairs Division
Policy and Programs Branch
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Email: cfia.legislation-legislation.acia@canada.ca
Enhancing the competitiveness of the cereals sector
Latest updates
In the absence of a Government implemented enabling regulation, the seed industry is moving ahead with its own, contract-based value creation mechanisms to strengthen the competitiveness of the cereals sector in Canada on a limited basis. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada remains open to discussions with crop sector stakeholders on ways to further strengthen intellectual property protections for seed beyond the 2015 amendments to Canada's Plant Breeders' Rights Act.
February 2021 updates
Following extensive consultations with the sector, AAFC presented an economic analysis on a value creation model for wheat and other cereal crops to stakeholders. AAFC also signalled that consultations would be put on hold until greater industry consensus could be reached on a way forward. Since this announcement, producer groups and seed industry members have been collaboratively developing guiding principles to advance discussions. AAFC will continue to follow sector-led discussions and consider a path forward in consultation with industry.
Description of issue
Grain sector stakeholders have asked the Government of Canada to launch consultations regarding a value creation mechanism to stimulate greater investment and innovation in Canadian cereal variety development.
Description of approach
Currently, due to the widespread use of farm-saved seed by producers, cereal variety developers are unable to generate sufficient revenue through initial sales of certified seed to recoup their R&D investment. A new value creation model could lead to increased funding in Canadian cereals research and variety development, benefitting farmers and other members of the value chain.
A new model could help to attract new sources of investment in Canadian cereals research and development of improved varieties, ultimately supporting greater profitability and competitiveness in Canada's cereals sector, including farmers.
Key milestones
Short term: AAFC/CFIA consultations will be completed prior to any regulatory proposals being drafted. These consultations began in November 2018 and are ongoing. No decision has been made at this time.
Medium term: If a decision is made to proceed after the consultations, proposed regulatory changes to support a new value creation model would be expected for pre-publication in Canada Gazette Part 1 for fall 2020.
Long term: Monitoring and reporting would be required to ensure that the value creation mechanism was benefitting producers and other industry stakeholders.
Contact information
Regulatory Policy Coordination Office
Strategic Policy Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Email: aafc.regulation-reglementation.aac@canada.ca
Regulatory, Legislative and Economic Affairs Division
Policy and Programs Branch
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Email: cfia.legislation-legislation.acia@canada.ca
Pre-market assessment of agricultural inputs
Latest updates
To improve harmonization with other jurisdictions, the CFIA launched a consultation on the use of foreign decisions for livestock feed approvals in Canada in Spring 2023. A What We Heard report summarizing the feedback received along with revised final guidance document is expected to be published in Fall 2023. To facilitate the pre-market assessment process, new application services were integrated in the CFIA's client facing online digital platform, MyCFIA. For instance, new applications for pre-market permission were integrated in MyCFIA for fertilizer products in 2020, plants with novel traits in November 2021, livestock feed in July 2022, and crops variety subject to registration in September 2022.
February 2021 updates
CFIA updated the Fertilizers Regulations, which reduced the number of products requiring pre-market assessment and extended the registration period validity, and implemented an electronic submission service for applications for fertilizers and supplements registrations. CFIA is developing proposed amendments to the Feeds Regulations for pre-publication in Canada Gazette, Part I. An electronic submission service for feed pre-market assessment is being developed and is anticipated to be available in the 2021 to 2022 fiscal year. An approach for streamlining new feed ingredient approvals using foreign authorizations is targeted for the 2021 to 2022 fiscal year for stakeholder consultation.
Description of issue
Stakeholders have indicated that the process and timelines for pre-market assessments for agricultural inputs (feed, seed, fertilizer, veterinary biologics, plants with novel traits) are lengthy and unpredictable, which compromises efficient access to markets.
Description of approach
In response to the above issue, the CFIA proposes to:
- Implement amendments to the Fertilizers Regulations, which would reduce the volume of products requiring pre-market assessment and lengthen the registration period in order to decrease burden [See Section 4, key issue 2 – Fertilizers Regulations]
- Implement amendments to Feeds Regulations, which would reduce the volume of products requiring pre-market assessment. [See Section 4, key issue 1. – Feeds Regulations]
- Streamline approval of new feed products, based on equivalency of authorizations by foreign governments. [See also Section 4, key issue 1. – Feeds Regulations].
- Implement an electronic submission process for pre-market assessment of agricultural input commodities, reducing burden by enabling online application and payment, as well as automated case tracking (see Digital CFIA services).
Key milestones
Short term: Fit gap analysis (pre-market program review) and options analysis to determine current vs. required solution functionality (the 2018 to 2019 fiscal year).
Medium term: Internal and external change management activities (that is, business process re-engineering, communications) in support of the upcoming change to submission, review and issuance process. Industry enrolment in MY CFIA. IT system development, testing and deployment. Business continues to offer and support legacy processes (paper-submission) for those stakeholders unwilling or unable to submit applications electronically (the 2019 to 2020 fiscal year).
Long term: Information management, archiving disposal of paper documents, and setting rules related to document retention based on program requirements.
Contact information
Regulatory, Legislative and Economic Affairs Division
Policy and Programs Branch
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Email: cfia.legislation-legislation.acia@canada.ca
Approach to novel products of biotechnology (plant breeding innovation)
Latest updates
Health Canada consulted stakeholders on its draft guidance on novel foods focussed on plant breeding in Spring 2021 and a What We Heard report on the proposed guidance for novel food regulations summarizing the feedback received was published in May 2022 along with revised guidance on the novelty interpretation of products of plant breeding.
The CFIA guidance for determining plants with novel traits was open for consultation from May to September 2021 and in Summer 2022, a series of targeted stakeholder engagement sessions were held. The CFIA guidance for determining plants with novel traits was open for consultation from May to September 2021 and in Summer 2022, a series of targeted stakeholder engagement sessions were held. In May 2023, the CFIA published updated guidance for plants with novel traits regulated under Part V of the Seeds Regulations. The updated guidance clarifies when pre-market assessment is required, offers a predictable regulatory environment and improves Canadian farmers' access to new seed varieties, without compromising safety.
To support the ongoing competitiveness of all production methods, including organic agriculture, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is leading discussions with sector stakeholders to enhance transparency around edited seed varieties.
February 2021 updates
In 2019, an industry-government working group was formed and developed and presented options to clarify how plant products of biotechnology are regulated. Expert engagement sessions for further technical and scientific analysis were held in June 2020 jointly hosted by Health Canada, CFIA and AAFC. A virtual expert panel was also held in October 2020. Health Canada and CFIA's plant programs have used this input to develop proposals for new guidance. Public engagement on the draft guidance is anticipated for early 2021. AAFC, CFIA, and Health Canada will continue to work together to advance this initiative, particularly in improving the draft guidance and implementing a well-defined process for consulting with regulatory authorities on whether a product is novel.
Description of issue
Plant Breeding Innovations (PBI), also known as gene editing or new plant breeding techniques, refer to a suite of new technologies that can be used to efficiently introduce genetic changes. The seed and grain industry has identified that Canada's outcome-focused approach to determining which new varieties are subject to pre-market assessments causes uncertainty for the plant breeding community and that this may be a disincentive to investment and limit producer access to products developed using plant breeding innovation techniques.
Canada has a regulatory framework that effectively covers new technologies, but this flexibility does not lend itself to simple answers around whether or not a product may be regulated, particularly when the product is in the early stages of development. The industry states that, as a result, plant breeders do not make their best efforts to innovate, and Canada misses opportunities to nurture the development of innovative small businesses. To make investment and commercialization decisions that take advantage of new technologies, developers, as well as producers who wish to use and export those products, have indicated they require clearer and more predictable regulatory requirements around authorization prior to commercialization.
Many jurisdictions do not have the flexibility to capture these new technologies and are examining their frameworks, which add to the challenge of regulatory uncertainty for product developers in the global marketplace.
Description of approach
Canada's outcome-focused approach to novel products of biotechnology is unique. Consequently, since this framework was established (roughly 25 years ago), Canada has had the ability to regulate products of biotechnology that other regulatory frameworks do not capture. This flexible approach provides many advantages for ensuring appropriate stewardship, and can seamlessly accommodate new technologies without the uncertainty that other jurisdictions are currently working through. However, because the triggers are outcome-focused, product developers are less certain as to whether a specific product will be regulated.
Based on input from industry, the CFIA and Health Canada are working together to address issues raised by:
- Providing more clarity around Canada's novelty triggers as they related to Plant Breeding Innovations, through written guidance.
- Providing a well-defined process for consulting with regulatory authorities on whether a product is novel, including how to arrange a consultation, what information to provide, and the timing and format that the response from regulators will take. This will address the need for clarity and timeliness to help developers determine whether their product is regulated.
- Considering opportunities to provide improved guidance on information requirements when a regulated product is submitted for pre-market assessment, and continue to find efficiencies in the pre-market assessment process, while ensuring safety. Canada already takes a flexible approach to information requirements, and allows the case for safety to be made using bridging to past submissions or published literature. Whether a more formalized tiered approach to information requirements, as requested by industry, is feasible is being considered as part of this work towards continuous improvement.
Furthermore, to support the above initiatives, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC) is co-chairing an industry-government working group (the Biotech Working Group under the Grains Roundtable), which has been given the renewed mandate as of August 2018 to focus intensively on the PBI issue. The group worked to clearly define the problem and presented a draft work plan for consideration by the Grains Roundtable in March 2019. Options/solutions will be further developed with regulatory groups and AAFC. These discussions will provide a clear industry perspective to inform the CFIA and Health Canada actions identified above.
This action plan will address many of the points heard from industry around clarity and predictability. However, some points raised by industry will not be addressed, or may not be addressed to the extent that industry is seeking, as follows:
- Providing certainty in advance through written guidance on what types of products are or are not novel, and being prescriptive about information requirements isn't feasible, as there will always be marginal cases or new developments that will require case-by-case consideration. However, Canada's approach in this regard allows developers the opportunity to present a logical case to justify why their specific product is not novel, and allows flexibility in what information is sufficient to demonstrate that a novel product is as safe as its counterparts.
- Joint file review coordination between the CFIA and Health Canada. Industry is of the opinion that a co-ordinated file review between the three assessment groups (for use as food, as feed, and for environmental release) would be more efficient. The CFIA and Health Canada are interested in exploring all opportunities for improved efficiency, and have initiated pilot projects to determine whether certain joint review processes are feasible or result in efficiencies. If these pilot projects indicate that a joint review is more efficient, then joint review will be adopted. However, considering the different assessment endpoints and other complexities of safety assessments, this irritant may not be addressed to the extent that the industry would like, and any impacts on program efficiencies may be much smaller than industry appears to be anticipating.
- Alignment with trading partners. The industry has also indicated an interest in seeing mutual recognition or aligned data requirements between like-minded countries. As described above, Canada's outcome-focused regulatory framework provides many advantages that would be lost if Canada were to undertake the complex work of adjusting our approach to be similar to more process-oriented jurisdictions. Globally, there is a great deal of variation in which products are subject to pre-market assessment. Canada will continue to work collaboratively with our international counterparts as we have done for many years in a variety of fora, with the goal of establishing areas of mutual agreement and harmonizing our systems where possible. While work-sharing and joint review is being explored in a very limited fashion between Canada and like-minded countries, the current global environment and diverse regulatory frameworks mean that this request will not be fully addressed. Obtaining authorizations in all major markets will remain an important step in the commercialization of novel products.
- Data requirements for other product categories (for example crop protection products and animal health products) are not the same as data requirements for pre-market assessment of novel agricultural products. The assessment endpoints, and therefore the data used to meet those endpoints, are different. As outlined in the response plan above, the CFIA and Health Canada take a flexible approach to data requirements for novel products, and are committed to seeking opportunities to minimize regulatory burden, which could include a more formalized tiered approach, if feasible. This may partially address the request for streamlined data requirements, but extending this approach to different product categories is outside of the scope of this work.
Cooperation implications
Canada's safety assessment process for food is based upon principles developed through international expert consultations carried out by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the Codex Alimentarius Commission and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Key milestones
Questions and Answers on whether products of PBI are plants with novel traits were posted online in fall 2018. Additional improvements to guidance related to Plant Breeding Innovations are anticipated in 1 to 2 years (medium term) for some earlier outcomes, and longer-term for the more complex projects, with the following milestones:
- Options/Recommendations from the Biotech Working Group (mid 2019)
- Published guidance on Canada's novelty triggers in the context of PBI (within 1 to 2 years)
- Development of a better-defined process for consulting with regulators on novelty (within 1 to 2 years) Where feasible, explore further efficiencies around assessment processes and information requirements (longer term)
Improvements to the Seeds Act and Seeds Regulations to create clearer authorities for oversight of seed and release of novel plants may also be pursued as a separate but related initiative; this work will have a longer-term implementation timeline (3+ years).
Contact information
Regulatory, Legislative and Economic Affairs Division
Policy and Programs Branch
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Email: cfia.legislation-legislation.acia@canada.ca
Food Directorate
Health Products and Food Branch
Health Canada
Email: hc.food-aliment.sc@canada.ca
Digital CFIA services
Latest updates
The CFIA has been digitalizing many of its services since its client-facing platform, MyCFIA, was launched in 2019. Since then, various CFIA services have been integrated into MyCFIA. This includes: food licences, plant and animal import permits, pre-market approvals, and export certificates. To date, almost 27,000 companies use MyCFIA to interact with the CFIA. Additionally, over 144,000 service requests, such as applications for import permits and certificates, were received through the platform. This initiative is evergreen. It is expected that most of the CFIA's services will be available through MyCFIA by 2025.
February 2021 updates
CFIA has integrated multiple services into the Digital Service Delivery Platform (DSDP), including plant and animal import permits, export certificates for live animals to the United States of America (USA), dairy products for over 20 countries and the certificate of free sale (for the non-federally registered sector, honey, maple, and processed product commodities), inspection activities for non-meat food programs, and applications for fertilizers and supplements registrations. These advancements have made it easier and faster to consolidate data and have improved user experience with submitting applications for permissions and certificates for commodities currently integrated into DSDP as well as accessing and printing inspection reports related to non-meat food programs directly from the MyCFIA dashboard. Work is underway to transition more CFIA services into MyCFIA to support full case management in the future.
Description of issue
Stakeholders have indicated that the process and timelines for CFIA services are cumbersome, paper based, lengthy and unpredictable, which creates complexity and additional cost, compromising competitiveness.
Description of approach
Enabling new processes for permissions, export certification, and inspections through the use of technology, the Digital Service Delivery Platform (DSDP) project, is an essential component of CFIA's transformation strategy.
DSDP will standardize and automate processes, provide services on-line, support planning, tracking, and assignment of activities; and provide improved business reporting capabilities. The platform provides a set of technologies and tools for citizens, industry, international trading partners, and CFIA inspectors to more readily carry out their respective roles and conduct regular business transactions.
Key milestones
Full implementation of the Digital Service Platform will be carried out over a three-year period sequenced as follows:
2018 to 2019 fiscal year – Full regulatory lifecycle – Food business line
Licensing, Inspections in support of Safe Food for Canadians Regulations – which came into force January 2019.
2019 to 2020 fiscal year – Enabling market access
Export Certificates – Dairy (June 2019); Additional Commodities; Plants, Seafood, Live Animals
Digital Exchange of Export Certificates (Phytosanitary Hubs)
Pre-market approvals (Seeds (Variety Registration), Feeds, Fertilizers, Veterinary Biologics, Plant Biosafety Office (PBO))
Import Permits – Food and Plant Business Lines
2020 to 2021 fiscal year – Full regulatory lifecycle – ALL Business lines
Export Certificates – Remaining Commodities
Digital Exchange of Export Certificates – Strategic Trading Partners
Inspections – Plants and Animals
Emergency Response
Contact information
Regulatory, Legislative and Economic Affairs Division
Policy and Programs Branch
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Email: cfia.legislation-legislation.acia@canada.ca
Recognition of third party oversight
Latest updates
In 2019, CFIA developed a draft assessment tool and worked with the food industry to identify and pilot one widely-used voluntary third party assurance program against regulatory requirements. Updates to the assessment tool were completed in September 2021 and determination of next steps is underway.
February 2021 updates
CFIA developed and piloted a tool designed to assess voluntary third-party oversight programs. It will be posted publicly for third-party oversight programs to conduct self-assessments against federal requirements, which CFIA would review. This work will be used to help inform CFIA's risk-based inspection approach by recognizing third-party oversight programs' contribution to food safety.
Description of issue
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency's risk-based approach to inspection oversight and frequencies has not fully integrated third party oversight into overall risk assessment and the inspection model. Often the standards set by these third party oversight regimes exceed regulatory requirements. An opportunity exists to better recognize investments that industry has made in third party certification systems through the application of a risk-based approach to oversight that gives industry "credit" for implementing such programs. This may include fewer or faster inspections, consideration of third party audits in the application of inspection oversight, etc.
The Economic Strategy Table (EST) Report recommended that a panel of industry experts advise regulators on various items, including opportunities for efficiencies, including alternate service delivery, compliance strategies and third party accreditation. This proposal would position the CFIA to discuss third party oversight and seek advice from such a panel.
Description of approach
The CFIA developed a Private Certification Policy for food safety in 2015. This policy provides direction on how industry's investment in an appropriate private certification scheme would be considered within the CFIA risk-based regulatory framework.
As part of this model, the CFIA assesses the requirements of private certification against food safety regulatory requirements. For example, in 2017, the CFIA's Food Safety Recognition Program recognized the Canada GAP program for fresh fruit and vegetables.
The CFIA has also started considering private certification of establishments as one of several factors in risk based planning. For example, as a result of risk-based prioritization, Canada GAP certified establishments are subject to fewer inspections than non-certified establishments.
In addition, the CFIA's Establishment Risk Assessment (ERA) Model recognizes third-party certification as a risk mitigation factor in its algorithm. A lower risk result means that an establishment will not be inspected as frequently and the scope of the inspection is reduced.
Going forward, the CFIA plans to:
- Communicate to industry how the CFIA is using third-party certification for work planning
- Assess more private certification programs against Canadian food safety requirements
Benefits of this approach include reduced duplication of oversight between third parties and the CFIA, as well as strengthened trust. Overall, food safety oversight is improved as it is a tool that enables the CFIA to focus inspection on higher risk establishments.
Cooperation implications
The United States Food Safety Modernization Act recognizes accreditation of third-party certification bodies to conduct food safety audits. The program was implemented in 2017.
Key milestones
Short term (within the next year):
- The CFIA will continue its work on taking third-party certification into account in risk-based inspection planning.
- The CFIA will continue to assess private schemes. It is expected that 1 to 2 schemes will be assessed per year.
Further information
The Agency's ERA model's algorithm considers third party audits and international certification schemes as a mitigation factors, the measures or strategies that a food establishment is using, to reduce the inherent risk and therefore reduce the risk of a food safety issue. Further information about the ERA model can be found in The science behind it: The Establishment-based Risk Assessment (ERA) model and The CFIA Chronicle.
The Food Safety Recognition Program (FSRP) includes the On-Farm Food Safety Recognition Program and the Post-Farm Food Safety Recognition Program, which provides government recognition of on-farm and post-farm food safety systems developed and implemented by national industry organizations on a voluntary basis. This program acknowledges that a food safety program has been developed in line with a systematic and preventive approach to food safety based on international accepted standards.
Contact information
Regulatory, Legislative and Economic Affairs Division
Policy and Programs Branch
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Email: cfia.legislation-legislation.acia@canada.ca
Consistent inspection
Latest updates
The CFIA has developed a common inspection architecture and continues to update its Standard Inspection Process (SIP) guidance documents. For instance, work is progressing to develop SIP guidance documents for programs with regulations that were recently modernized such as fertilizer and hatchery. Work is also underway to develop guidance that will support modernized Feeds Regulations once the final regulations are published. The CFIA will continue to align guidance with the SIP and onboard programs onto its Digital Service Delivery Platform, using a phased approach within the meat, plant, and animal health business lines. Training materials are being updated as operational guidance is being incrementally developed and implemented.
February 2021 updates
To support consistent inspections, CFIA developed a common inspection architecture and updated the Standard Inspection Process (SIP) guidance documents, which will provide more predictable outcomes for regulated parties. In 2019, implementation occurred for non-meat food inspections, while alignment within the meat program and the plant and animal business lines is currently being rolled out in a phased approach.
Description of issue
Regulated parties have expressed some concerns around the consistency of inspection and/or enforcement activities by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Description of approach
The CFIA is in the process of implementing a number of internal initiatives to improve consistency of delivery, including:
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Implementation of Standard Inspection Process – Inspectors use a combination of onsite inspection and evaluation techniques for assessing compliance and evaluating the impact of non-compliance of regulated parties. Verification activities can include making visual observations, evaluating documentation, interviewing personnel, sampling, measuring, testing, and commodity inspection. Ensuring that we have a Standard Inspection Process (SIP) for the use of these techniques will provide inspectors with the flexibility to adapt to different situations that may arise during an inspection within a consistent framework. CFIA has rolled out this standardization exercise initially in the food sector with the implementation of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations and will continue into the Plant and Animal Health sectors. Using the same approach for inspection through standardized procedures will enhance consistent outcomes and predictability for regulated parties.
Time line – Plant and Animal Health (2019 and beyond)
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Provision and implementation of updated operational guidance. Operational guidance (also referred to as operational policy) is the instrument or practice by which the CFIA Operations Branch ensures consistent delivery of programs for inspectors and investigators (which will also be available to the regulated parties). An exercise to ensure this guidance is up to date and consistent will result in consistent decision making, consistent regulatory outcomes, and transparent and predictable enforcement actions for regulated parties. Operational inspection guidance updates have been made for inspections of food commodities as this was a key success factor in the implementation of the SFCR.
Time line – Compliance and enforcement guidance, including guidance in using various enforcement tools (such as AAMPs) is ongoing. It is also expected that incremental changes will occur in the longer term for Animal and Plant Health inspections (2020 and beyond).
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Provision of updated training for inspectors and investigators. Updating guidance to our inspectors will necessitate updates to the training we give our staff. Training already occurs, but as changes to operational guidance are incrementally implemented, inspectors and investigators are receiving updated training. This will ensure that updates to our procedures are well implemented resulting in clear and consistent application by our inspectors in the field.
Time line – This activity has started in support of SFCR implementation, and is ongoing as we continue the incremental changes to our guidance.
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Adoption of the Digital Service Delivery Platform. The Agency is investing in a single digital platform for the capture of inspection activities and to provide as better on line tools for inspection staff and regulated parties. This system will result in improving data quality and trends analyses. This improved data availability will inform the inspectorate in a more rigorous way when doing their inspections, resulting in more focussed inspections based on risk and more consistent delivery of inspections. For more information, see Digital CFIA services.
Timeline – Medium term to longer term. (2019 and beyond)
Key milestones
Has been implemented for Food. Will be implemented in the next 2 years and beyond for Plant and Animal Health, aligned to associate regulatory initiatives in these business lines.
Data capture platforms development is in progress using an incremental approach, so completion and roll out across all sectors is expected to be medium to longer term (that is, 1 to 2 years and beyond). See the Digital CFIA Services initiative (above) for more information.
Contact information
Regulatory, Legislative and Economic Affairs Division
Policy and Programs Branch
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Email: cfia.legislation-legislation.acia@canada.ca
Potential duplication of oversight
Latest updates
In an effort to reduce regulatory burden on businesses, the CFIA is reviewing its work to determine whether there is a duplication of oversight activities with provincial counterparts. This includes inspection information sharing, emergency management, and regulatory and scientific collaboration.
As of June 2023, seven provinces and one territory (British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Yukon, Prince Edward Island) have signed agreements with the CFIA, and signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador are expected by 2023 to 2024. Additionally, the CFIA and Quebec intend to have a renewed framework agreement signed in 2023 to 2024.
February 2021 updates
CFIA has advanced work to reduce duplication of oversight between federal, provincial, and territorial (FPT) requirements. Notably, CFIA has signed 6 Umbrella Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon and has engaged with the remaining provinces and territories to support information sharing, emergency management, and regulatory and scientific collaboration. CFIA continues to work with Quebec on a single point of contact for food inspection work and use of tailored inspection tools. As a member of the FPT Food Safety Committee, CFIA is helping to develop a Pan-Canadian Comprehensive Approach for food surveillance activities.
Description of issue
Duplication of federal or federal/provincial oversight increases regulatory burden for businesses, and can impede the competitiveness of Canadian businesses.
Description of approach
The CFIA is working with the provinces to avoid duplicating food oversight as the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) have taken effect, and is taking Part In developing inspection information sharing protocols.
To that end, the CFIA has undertaken a number of initiatives with the provincial authorities, including:
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New FPT agreements between the CFIA and the provincial departments have been signed (or are being negotiated) to ensure food safety, animal health and plant protection in Canada (FPT "Umbrella Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)"), in line with 4 strategic priorities: information sharing, regulatory collaboration as a move toward harmonization, emergency management and scientific collaboration.
Timeline: Signed in 5 provinces (as of May 29, 2019). To be finalized in 2019 to 2020 (1 year)
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The CFIA is working with Quebec's Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ) on a new inspection agreement for the regulated parties targeted by the new Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR). The goal is to have a single point of contact carrying out inspections. The industry will deal with a single inspection authority (CFIA or MAPAQ).
Timeline: 2019 to 2022 (3 years)
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Cooperation on the development of tailored inspection tools, which takes into account the fact that in some provinces, the designated provincial inspectors enforce federal regulations administered by the CFIA. This includes:
- Developing inspection directives and joint training designed to qualify the designated inspection staff and ensure consistent enforcement.
- Digital Service Delivery Platform project with MAPAQ to provide access to information on shared regulated parties under CFIA and MAPAQ inspection agreements. This includes provincial and federal licensing and certification in the food, animal health and plant protection sectors.
Timeline: 2019 to 2024 (5 years)
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Planning of joint inspection and surveillance activities, particularly with regard to testing for chemical residues in food. Elimination of surveillance program duplication and recognition of partner testing whenever possible.
Timeline: Ongoing.
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Integrated risk management: Sharing of the CFIA's integrated risk management models with the provinces. Work on this has begun with MAPAQ with a view to possible harmonization. This would make it possible to engage in similar inspection activity planning and prioritization for fair treatment of regulated parties.
Timeline: 2019 to 2024 (5 years)
Key milestones
The timeline for each initiative is indicated above and is shown as short-term (1 year) or medium/long-term (3 to 5 years). The priority is the food sector (SFCR inspection agreements), but it takes into account the tools to be put in place and rolled out across all sectors, including animal and plant health.
Contact information
Regulatory, Legislative and Economic Affairs Division
Policy and Programs Branch
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Email: cfia.legislation-legislation.acia@canada.ca
Food labelling coordination strategy
Latest updates
Consultations were held from February 2 to April 3, 2021. In August 2021, Health Canada and CFIA published a joint Food Labelling Coordination policy to enhance coordination of changes to food requirements and to provide industry with a predictable cycle for compliance dates. This initiative is complete and is being actively implemented.
February 2021 updates
In response to comments that multiple, sequential food labelling changes made independently by Health Canada and CFIA create unnecessary costs and burden on industry, Health Canada and CFIA, with support from AAFC, are in the process of developing a strategy to coordinate timelines for future food labelling changes. Health Canada and CFIA are planning to hold consultations with stakeholders in winter 2021.
Description of issue
Stakeholders have indicated that the Government of Canada does not seem to consider the cumulative impacts of regulatory changes made across federal departments as they relate to food labelling. These changes can have a significant economic impact on the industry. If coming into force timelines are misaligned, industry may need to adjust labels on food products more frequently than is practical.
Consumers use food labels to make more informed choices about the food they purchase. Both Health Canada and the CFIA are responsible for labelling policies in Canada. Health Canada is responsible for labelling requirements with respect to health, safety and nutritional quality of food sold in Canada (for example nutrition facts table, allergen labelling, nutrient content claims) while the CFIA sets out non-health and safety related labelling requirements (for example organic claim, net quantity, date labelling).
Description of approach
Health Canada and the CFIA will address this issue by developing a strategy to coordinate timelines for food labelling changes.
Through the recent changes to nutrition labelling, labelling changes being developed through Health Canada's Healthy Eating Strategy and the CFIA's food labelling modernization (presently called "food product innovation"), Health Canada and the CFIA have made concerted efforts to align the timelines for the changes being proposed and provide a transition period to minimize economic impact on the industry. However, there is an opportunity to develop a more formalized approach to ensure that both departments coordinate timelines for future labelling changes in a manner that can provide industry with greater clarity and predictability.
In any formal or informal process, the Government of Canada will need to maintain the flexibility to implement labelling changes related to health and safety, especially in response to health needs.
Cooperation implications
Health Canada and the CFIA will look to labelling alignment timing practices in other international jurisdictions to inform the development of a strategy in Canada.
Key milestones
Health Canada and the CFIA will work together to continue to align timelines for the labelling changes proposed in the Healthy Eating Strategy and the Food Labelling modernization initiatives. A predictable cycle for label changes will be implemented subsequent to these proposed changes coming into force.
Consultations with stakeholders will begin in the 2019 to 2020 fiscal year to establish appropriate timeline for a predictable cycle.
Health Canada and the CFIA will establish the timelines in consultation with various stakeholders.
Contact information
Regulatory, Legislative and Economic Affairs Division
Policy and Programs Branch
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Email: cfia.legislation-legislation.acia@canada.ca
Food Directorate
Health Products and Food Branch
Health Canada
Email: hc.food-aliment.sc@canada.ca
Data protection modernization for pest control products
Latest updates
The final regulations amending the Pest Control Products Regulations were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II on June 7, 2023 and will come into force on December 4, 2023. These amendments clarify the how data compensation operates in the post-market review context.
February 2021 updates
To improve the clarity around data protections requirement concerning pesticides, Health Canada published an updated "ministerial agreement" in April 2019, to help innovators and "generic" producers reach compensation agreements for pre-market reviews. Health Canada is also working to clarify the data protection provisions applicable during post-market reviews through proposed amendments to the Pest Control Products Regulations. Public and industry stakeholders will have the opportunity to comment on the proposed regulatory amendments during the Canada Gazette, Part I, which is targeting spring 2021.
Description of issue
Some stakeholders have expressed concern that the negotiation and arbitration process relating to compensation for relying on data on pest control products belonging to other parties during pre-market reviews is insufficient to help parties to reach compensation agreements in a timely manner in all cases. Further, the requirements of the post-market data protection program for pest control products are unclear to regulated parties.
Description of approach
Health Canada will address the process for settling data protection compensation for pre-market reviews of pest control products by updating the "Ministerial Agreement" (a document issued by the Minister under s. 66 of the Pest Control Products Act that sets out the details of the negotiation and arbitration process for pre-market data protection compensation).
Health Canada is also proposing to amend the Pest Control Products Regulations to clarify the data-protection provisions that apply during post-market reviews of pest control products.
Key milestones
Health Canada published the updated "Ministerial Agreement" for consultation in fall 2018, and published the final version in April 2019. A draft update was previously consulted with stakeholders in winter 2016 to 2017, and industry comments were used to develop the fall 2018 consultation draft.
With respect to amending the Pest Control Products Regulations, Health Canada recently concluded industry consultations on the proposed approach to data protection during post-market reviews. Health Canada is targeting the pre-publication of draft regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part I in fall 2019 / winter 2020. Publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II is targeted for 2020.
Contact information
Policy and Regulatory Affairs Divisions
PMRA, Health Canada
Email: hc.pmra.regulatory.affairs-affaires.reglementaires.arla.sc@canada.ca
Agile Regulations Table – Sector specific government-stakeholder collaboration on regulations
Latest updates
The Agile Regulations Table (ART) co-developed and endorsed a multi-year strategic plan to guide long term actions for ART members in November 2021. Key areas of focus identified include:
- Exploring ways to make the regulatory system easier to navigate
- Providing analytical capacity to better understand cumulative administrative burden and economic impacts of regulations across the sector
- Contributing to regulatory experimentation and foresight
The Table completed work on COVID-19 lessons learned and disseminated findings with relevant regulators and the ART in Spring 2022. Work on regulatory experimentation continues, with projects underway in the plant protein and drone-based pesticide application areas to help fill regulatory data gaps and enable innovation. The ART has also applied a Journey Mapping Toolkit which it developed in 2022 to gain a better understanding of needs, opportunities and challenges businesses face when considering expanding into interprovincial markets.
Although this initiative was reported complete in the February 2021 progress update below, as the ART had been launched, the Table continues to advance its medium and long-term mandate through its strategic plan as an ongoing initiative towards Government of Canada regulatory modernization.
February 2021 updates
AAFC's Sector Specific Government-Stakeholder Collaboration on Regulations was launched in March 2020 and is comprised of 2 components: an Industry-Government Agile Regulations Table (Agile Regulations Table) and an internal Regulatory Hub. This innovative regulatory approach is meant to be a platform for sector-wide, shared solution approaches to help government and industry work together to address horizontal and systemic regulatory issues facing the agriculture and agri-food sector. It will also provide a focal point for AAFC's contribution to broader government regulatory reform efforts and strengthen capacity for regulatory policy efforts. The Agile Regulations Table's membership includes diverse stakeholder perspectives which span the full spectrum of the sector as well as government officials from both regulatory and economic departments and agencies. In December 2020, the Agile Regulations Table held 2 initial meetings which focused on defining a vision and reviewing potential challenges and opportunities which will serve as a basis for short, medium and longer term efforts to improve the agriculture and agri-food regulatory system.
Description of issue
The Federal regulatory review consultations in the Canada Gazette, as well as recommendations from the Agri-Food Economic Strategy Table and other recent regulatory modernization efforts have pointed to the opportunity to improve Canada's regulatory environment to foster innovation, growth and competitiveness for the agriculture and agri-food sector while maintaining health and safety objectives.
Stakeholder submissions as part of the regulatory review process echoed recommendations from the Agri-Food Economic Strategy Table and stressed the need to: take immediate action on tackling ongoing irritants; address the cumulative economic impact of regulations; and, test new technologies through regulatory experimentation.
In addition, stakeholders re-iterated concerns over the clarity of regulations, the need for earlier and more meaningful engagement in regulatory development, an opportunity to better consider cumulative and economic impacts of regulations; and difficulty navigating the regulatory system.
Description of approach
AAFC will explore opportunities to improve government-stakeholder collaboration on regulatory issues facing the agriculture and agri-food sector.
To support efforts to create a more agile regulatory environment, further government-stakeholder collaboration will be explored in order to facilitate shared solutions between government and industry regarding regulatory irritants (that is, timely, predictable solutions) and to seize opportunities to work collaboratively with industry (that is, regulatory design for new and emerging technologies), to enhance economic growth and competitiveness.
AAFC will look to provide a focal point for identifying and helping to solve agriculture and agri-food regulatory irritants, provide analytical capacity to better understand cumulative and economic impacts of regulations across the sector, explore ways to make the regulatory system easier to navigate, and contribute to regulatory experimentation in the agriculture and agri-food space. This initiative is intended to strengthen efforts in the following areas: supply chain regulatory burden mapping, artificial intelligence for regulatory policy and decision-making insights, designing agile regulations suited for transformative technologies and new products and processes that may not fit under current regulatory frameworks.
Any sector-specific regulatory approach would complement broader Government of Canada mechanisms to support system-wide changes and the creation of distinct spaces for regulatory experimentation and innovation.
Cooperation implications
AAFC plans to work with relevant departments and agencies to facilitate collaboration between government and stakeholders regarding regulatory irritants and opportunities that are impacting economic growth and competitiveness.
Key milestones
AAFC is planning to have discussions with relevant departments and agencies in 2019.
Contact information
Regulatory Policy Coordination Office
Strategic Policy Branch
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Email: aafc.regulation-reglementation.aac@canada.ca
Reducing risk and improving trust using distributed ledger technology (blockchain)
Latest updates
This initiative is complete.
February 2021 updates
CFIA completed the examination of the use of blockchain in the existing regulations pertaining to livestock traceability and provided industry and government project participants with a report on lessons learned. In the coming year, CFIA will work with the Standards Council of Canada to look at supply chains and the use of data governance and distributed ledger technology standards to improve consumer safety and empowerment. In addition, CFIA will continue to collaborate with a group of federal partners experimenting in this space.
Description of issue
Due to the complexity of globalized food supply chains, processing technologies, food fraud and international trade, the transparency and electronic enablement of food supply chains and the information associated with them have never been so important to the safety, integrity and value of what Canadians eat and produce.
The agri-food and agriculture industry is currently undergoing a supply chain digital transformation. A digital supply chain means that the series of activities that are connected like the movement of raw materials, goods and parts from the supplier to consumer and the associated financial, material and information are enabled with digital technology.
Regulated parties create and manage data through industry-based digital supply chain platforms that would assist the CFIA in its risk management and service delivery capacity. This includes compliance data on the regulated party derived from other jurisdictions as well as product history, origin and other relevant supply chain information. Historically, the CFIA and regulated parties do not voluntarily share data.
Legacy technologies related to data storage and management have also contributed to the challenges associated with the transmission and storage of the data across supply chain participants and between the regulator and regulated parties.
To date other international counterparts have already indicated their intention to further explore the use of blockchain technology in the regulatory space. That is because blockchain allows for flexibility in the type of data that is shared between regulator and regulated party which could include traceability, firm identity, production and supply information, laboratory analysis results, or third party certifications or permissions among others. Based on the type of information that is shared, the performance of multiple regulatory functions, like issuing permissions or response, could be sped-up and streamlined.
The Economic Strategy Tables specifically recommended undertaking a pilot in this area.
Despite evidence that distributed ledger technologies could enable the desired secure, transparent and confidential sharing of information between parties, it is still relatively new and the implications of the deployment of the technology and as a regulatory tool are not well understood. It thus requires further research and experimentation, which will be enabled by this sandbox approach.
Description of approach
The CFIA is proposing to create a regulatory sandbox with the aim to reduce risk to food safety/plant/animal health by increasing collaboration and trust between regulator and regulated parties through improved information and data sharing. This sandbox would include the adoption of a data-exchange platform using distributed ledger technology ("blockchain").
Distributed ledger technology ("blockchain") is a disruptive technology changing the way buyers and sellers transfer assets without the involvement of a third party administrator. Blockchain is a digital database that securely transmits any type of information without a central authority. In absence of a central authority, information is transferred directly from user to user. The information is validated by the computers on the network using algorithms. Distributed ledger technology could address issues of cost, quality, trust, and security.
This sandbox project will look to assess the feasibility of the blockchain technology at the CFIA by engaging with technical and industry experts to a) develop a detailed description of how the technology could be used at the CFIA in order to assess the feasibility of the technology to perform the intended functions; b) identify legal and policy implications of adopting this type of approach; c) recommend a potential strategy for future development.
Relative to food safety, the CFIA is interested in the application of blockchain for supply chain management. It could potentially allow for more preventative risk control measures, and enable quicker and more precise interventions to preserve human health and safety. There may also be potential in using blockchain to possibly support the traceability requirements of the new Safe Food for Canadians Regulations, as well as the prevention of food fraud.
Cooperation implications
For the purposes of the pilot, CFIA would seek collaboration with other agencies/departments as well as potentially industry to deliver on the project.
Key milestones
Short term (year 1): The objective of the short term work will be to build capacity, engage with and create a network of key stakeholders as well as to collaboratively design and implement the sandbox project.
Experiment with an actual blockchain (or prototype) with the regulator and regulated party to test a number of assumptions as well as ascertain real evidence as to the complexity, value, challenges and costs associated with the use of blockchain technologies for regulatory oversight.
The project will be sufficiently complex to test various aspects of regulatory application to identify and evaluate numerous implications, but will also look to leverage supply chains and technologies that are already advancing. The results and analysis of the pilot will inform policy decisions for the CFIA and reference findings for other regulatory agencies on the usefulness and adoption of ledger technologies in a regulatory context.
Medium Term (Year 2): The objective of this second phase of work will be to analyze the results of the previous project, and further consultation and engagement with stakeholders to identify key opportunities and challenges. Given the outcomes of these analyses, a decision will be required to determine the feasibility of advancing work under this initiative including broader external consultation and engagement.
Contact information
Regulatory, Legislative and Economic Affairs Division
Policy and Programs Branch
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Email: cfia.legislation-legislation.acia@canada.ca
Rethinking the regulatory relationship: applying innovation and behavioural science to promote compliance and improve risk management (novel regulatory approach)
Latest updates
The CFIA concluded a pilot in 2018 to 2019 to explore risk relationship with an industry 'champion'. The results of the pilot further informed how the CFIA manages risk. The CFIA continues to prioritize risk management practices in its operations to uphold food safety and the health of plants and animals and Canadians. This initiative is complete.
February 2021 updates
In 2018 to 2019, CFIA and an industry 'champion' completed a 3-month pilot study to explore a shared risk relationship in which the champion voluntarily shared a subset of additional establishment data beyond the standard requirements with CFIA for risk analysis and assessment. CFIA used this pilot study to assess how additional industry data could improve CFIA's understanding of risk and subsequently contribute to CFIA's program design for risk mitigation. In 2020 to 2021, CFIA is currently exploring additional work with industry and stakeholders on technology to understand and enhance inspection capabilities prioritized against COVID-19 requirements.
Description of issue
Regulators in Canada are exploring a new approach to providing oversight and enforcing regulation to better align with industry commitment to complying with regulatory requirements. The approach recognizes that most businesses want to meet regulatory requirements and keep their customers safe, and that they are more likely to be readily and actively compliant when they are part of a system, which encourages them to do so.
This new type of regulatory relationship enables regulators to deepen collaboration with businesses that create and maintain trust with customers and regulators (for example, through consistent application of compliance systems and audits, high number of satisfied customers, transparency and commitment to core values). This type of relationship encourages trust and open sharing of information, while mitigating fear of reprisal when regulated parties self-identify risk or non-compliance. It leverages industry's vested interest (by way of reduced costs, reputation, profits/sales, and growth) to ensure risks are well managed and provides a new opportunity for regulators to explore innovation in regulatory delivery and compliance.
This new approach will explore when and how a regulator can place greater trust in an operator's ability to control risk and to provide data and information on their performance. This could allow strong performers to be monitored offsite and inspected less frequently, and regulator efforts to be redirected instead to weaker performers with repeat compliance issues, or to focus on other key areas of risk. The enhanced information sharing enables the regulated party to signal any emerging issues or trends with implications for the broader sector to the regulator, who can in turn adjust its oversight and reach out to the sector to better understand and manage risks.
Description of approach
The CFIA proposes a pilot approach with a willing industry partner to explore a relationship that encourages compliance and enhanced information sharing in support of shared risk mitigation goals.
The proposed pilot involves a company, facility, establishment or industry association who can be considered a leader in their sector, exemplifying qualities and business practices that other businesses could model themselves after. The chosen partner should:
- have a positive working relationship with the CFIA
- be willing to be open and transparent about their business practices
- be agreeable to sharing information on their activities
- provide, where possible, useful insights and intelligence that could help the CFIA take a proactive approach to mitigating risk
The CFIA would develop a proposal to scope the pilot, along with terms and conditions including how industry information will be used. The data collected from pilot companies will point to new, collaborative and intuitive ways of identifying and addressing non-compliance. The approach will also encompass best practices for forging and maintaining relationships with companies and businesses who effectively and efficiently comply with CFIA requirements. Following the pilot, a report would be developed that summarizes the findings, along with best practices and areas requiring further refinement or adjustment should there be interest to expand the pilot.
Cooperation implications
This pilot explores a cultural shift between regulator and industry by developing trusting relationships that serve to benefit both parties by way of improved data exchange and enhanced transparency.
In the medium-longer term other government departments that carry out inspection activities may be implicated as there is likely to be a larger interest in this pilot from other members of the regulatory community, including the Community of Federal Regulators.
Key milestones
In the short term (within 1 year), the CFIA would demonstrate the feasibility and benefits/risks of using deeper industry collaboration and data-sharing as an effective approach to improving compliance. The Agency would establish the necessary supports to launch the pilot including data sharing, information management/technology support, governance agreement and clear articulation of pilot deliverables including replication analysis and recommendations.
In the Medium Term (1 to 2 years), the CFIA would conclude delivery of the pilot and would finalize the result analysis including recommendations for continuation, further refinement, feasibility for adoption and recommendations including any on-going costs or additional resourcing required for expansion (if the pilot is deemed successful).
Contact information
Regulatory, Legislative and Economic Affairs Division
Policy and Programs Branch
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Email: cfia.legislation-legislation.acia@canada.ca
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