Ministerial transition materials (2025)

May 2025

Organizational context

Legislative mandate

Mitigating risks to food safety is the CFIA's highest priority, and the health and safety of Canadians is the driving force behind the design and development of CFIA programs. The CFIA, in collaboration and partnership with industry, consumers, and federal, provincial and municipal organizations, continues to work towards protecting Canadians from preventable health risks related to food and zoonotic diseases.

The current and future economic prosperity of the Canadian agriculture and forestry sectors relies on a healthy and sustainable animal and plant resource base. As such, the CFIA is continually improving its program design and delivery in the animal health and plant resource areas in order to minimize and manage risks. In an effort to protect the natural environment from invasive animal and plant diseases and plant pests, the CFIA also performs extensive work related to the protection of environmental biodiversity.

CFIA acts and regulations

As a regulator, the CFIA is responsible for the full or partial administration and enforcement of the following acts and regulations:

Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations
- Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice
Feeds Act
- Feeds Regulations, 2024
Fertilizers Act
- Fertilizers Regulations
Food and Drugs Act
- Food and Drug Regulations
Health of Animals Act
- Compensation for Certain Birds Destroyed in British Columbia (Avian Influenza) Regulations
- Compensation for Destroyed Animals and Things Regulations
- Export Inspection and Certification Exemption Regulations
- Health of Animals Regulations
- Reportable Diseases Regulations
Plant Breeders' Rights Act Plant
- Breeders' Rights Regulations
Plant Protection Act
- Eggplants and Tomatoes Production (Central Saanich) Restriction Regulations
- Golden Nematode Order
- Asian Long-horned Beetle Compensation Regulations
- Plant Protection Regulations
- Plum Pox Virus Compensation Regulations
- Potato Production and Sale (Central Saanich) Restriction Regulations
- Potato Wart Compensation Regulations
Safe Food for Canadians Act
- Safe Food for Canadians Regulations
Seeds Act
- Seeds Regulations
- Weed Seeds Order

* The CFIA also works in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) in the co-regulation of Canadian laboratories who work with zoonotic pathogens under the Health of Animals Act and Regulations (administered and enforced by the CFIA) and the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act and Regulations (administered and enforced by the PHAC).

CFIA within the health and agriculture portfolios

The agency nests within the health and agriculture portfolios.

Minister of Health

Responsibilities

Overall agency direction
Corporate business Plans (approving/tabling) and annual reports
Developing policies and recommending regulations related to food safety

Legislative authorities

Food safety

Food and Drugs Act
Safe Food for Canadians Act

Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Responsibilities

Non-food safety legislation for example, market access and trade, animal health, plant protection)
Administration and enforcement of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act, and the following

Legislative authorities

Plants

Fertilizers Act
Seed Act
Plant Protection Act
Plant Breeders' Rights Act

Animals

Feeds Act
Health of Animals Act

Standards of identity for food

Food and Drugs Act
Safe Food for Canadians Act

Role of the Minister of Health

General responsibilities

Responsible Minister for the CFIA under the CFIA Act, meaning the Minister has overall strategic direction of the agency
Accountable to Parliament for all CFIA actions and decisions
Oversees and provides strategic direction on food safety policy and standards. Responsible for approving and tabling CFIA's corporate business plans and annual reports in Parliament
Serves as the appropriate Minister for the CFIA under the Financial Administration Act (FAA), responsible for seeking appropriations and overseeing financial matters related to the agency

Authority over food safety and regulation-making

Exercises powers, duties, and functions under any act of Parliament related to food safety enforced by the CFIA
Has the authority to develop policies and recommend regulations on food safety, including under
- Safe Food for Canadians Act
- Food and Drugs Act (as it pertains to food)
Has the power to order product recalls under the CFIA Act if a regulated product poses a risk to public, animal, or plant health

Delegation of powers

May delegate specific statutory powers to CFIA officials, except for
- the power to make regulations
- the power to delegate further under Section 4(2) of the CFIA Act (except the power to make regulations)
Remains politically accountable for the exercise of delegated authorities by CFIA officials

Role of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

General responsibilities

The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food does not have direct responsibility for the CFIA as an Agency. However, they retain responsibility for certain program legislation related to plant and animal health, including:

Health of Animals Act
Plant Protection Act
Plant Breeders' Rights Act
Seeds Act
Feeds Act
Fertilizers Act

The Minister is accountable for CFIA's enforcement of regulations concerning the humane treatment of animals prior to slaughter under the Safe Food for Canadians Act.

Plays a crucial role in promoting trade and economic growth in the agriculture in specific circumstances.

Policy and regulatory responsibilities

Develops policy and recommends regulations related to plant and animal health
May propose regulations under CFIA-enforced Acts, but if there is overlap with food safety, the Minister of Health is generally responsible

Delegation of powers

May delegate statutory authorities related to plant and animal health to CFIA officials
Retains political accountability for the exercise of any delegated authorities

Role of the President of the CFIA

Pursuant to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act, the President is the Chief Executive Officer of the agency with authority to:

supervise and direct the agency's work and staff
provide leadership, promote collaboration, encourage innovation and a results-oriented organizational environment
support the Minister of Health and the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food in fulfilling their responsibilities

CFIA separate employer status

Per the Financial Administration Act, Schedule V, the CFIA is considered a separate employer, thus is neither subject to the Public Service Employment Act nor the Treasury Board Terms and Conditions of Employment. Under the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act, the President of the CFIA has the authority to appoint the employees of the agency.

As a separate employer, the CFIA is managed similarly to other public service organizations:

it reports to a Minister, accountable to Parliament
it has many similar legal obligations to the rest of the public service, through the various acts applicable to it
it requires Treasury Board approval of its mandate for collective bargaining and expenditures
its employees are represented by the 2 largest public service bargaining agents
- Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC)
- Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC)

Historically, the CFIA has sought to maintain alignment with relevant decisions and direction of the core public administration.

What the agency does

Core roles and responsibilities

With a vision to excel as a science-based regulator, trusted and respected by Canadians and the international community, the CFIA is dedicated to mitigating risks to food safety, protecting plant and animal resources, and facilitating trade.

Responsibilities

Food safety
International trade
Animal health
Plant health

Roles

Regulator
- Enforce food, plant and animal-related acts, and regulations set by the CFIA. Also support regulations set by Health Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Risk mitigation and emergency management
- Manage emergencies and mitigate various risks related to food, animals and plants with possible impacts to public health, economics, and the environment
Facilitating trade and industry compliance
- Improve the regulatory interface with industry and trading partners

Food safety

Safeguarding Canada's food supply

Includes health, safety and labelling
Administering/enforcing Safe Food for Canadians Act and the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations, and Food and Drugs Act, and Food and Drug Regulations (as it relates to food safety) that Health Canada establishes
Shared responsibility between the CFIA, industry, international partners, Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, as well as municipal, provincial, and territorial authorities

Minimizing health and safety risks to Canadians

Protecting Canadians from preventable Food safety hazards, and managing food safety investigations and recalls
Establishing biosafety standards for Canadian laboratories and other facilities handling zoonotic pathogens and toxins, issuing regulatory permissions, and monitoring biocontainment compliance

Contributing to consumer protection

Ensuring that information presented to Canadians, via labels and advertising, is accurate and devoid of misleading claims

International trade

Facilitating trade

Enabling trade for the agricultural sector as the sole competent authority in Canada responsible for administrating and enforcing regulations for the import and export of animal, plant, and food products

Supporting market access for Canadian agriculture and agri-food

Issuing export certificates, import permits, and conducting inspections and lab testing for imports and exports
Influencing the development of international rules and standards for plant protection, animal health, and food safety through participation and engagement at international standard-setting bodies (World Organisation for Animal Health, Codex Alimentarius Commission, International Plant Protection Convention) and the World Trade Organization
Engaging with trading partners to negotiate import/export conditions, free trade agreements (sanitary and phytosanitary measures) and standards
Strengthening international cooperation by regulatory cooperation and delivering technical assistance on animal health, plant health, and food safety to other countries (for example, training on Canada's regulatory systems and clarifying import requirements)
Working in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Global Affairs Canada

Animal health

Protecting Canada's animal resources and public health of Canadians

Protecting Canada's animals, including aquatic animals, from diseases
Protecting Canadians from zoonotic diseases by adopting an integrated One-Health approach

Minimizing risks to Canada's terrestrial and aquatic animal resources, and ensuring the safety of animal feeds, products and vaccines

Managing animal disease incidents and emergencies (for example, African swine fever), including diseases that may also threaten human health (for example, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, chronic wasting disease, highly pathogenic avian influenza)
Promoting and regulating animal welfare, in transportation and humane slaughter
Verifying that animal feeds and vaccines are safe and effective
Establishing biosafety standards for Canadian laboratories and other facilities handling animal pathogens and toxins (including aquatic and bees), issuing regulatory permissions, and monitoring biocontainment compliance

Plant health

Protecting Canada's plant resources

Includes crops, horticulture, nurseries, forest resources and products, greenhouses, seeds, fertilizers, and plants with novel traits

Protecting plant life and the agricultural and forestry sectors of the Canadian economy

Preventing the importation, exportation and spread of pests and by controlling or eradicating pests in Canada
Verifying that farmers have access to safe, effective and innovative agricultural inputs (for example, seed, fertilizer) that support environmental sustainability
Fostering innovation through protection of intellectual property (in other words, plant breeders' rights)
Preserving Canada's global reputation for agricultural products as high-quality, free from pests, and safe
Establishing biosafety standards for Canadian laboratories and other facilities handling plant pests, issuing regulatory permissions, and monitoring biocontainment compliance

Regional distribution (as of December 31, 2024)

Atlantic Area

New Brunswick (Moncton)
New Brunswick (Fredericton)
Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown)
Newfoundland & Labrador (St. John's)
Nova Scotia (Dartmouth)

Head count: 825

Quebec Area

Montreal East
Montreal West
St. Hyacinthe
Ste. Foy

Head count: 1,117

NCR Area

Head count: 1,848

Ontario Area

Northeast (Barrie)
Toronto (Downsview)
Central (Guelph)
Southwest (London)

Head count: 1,161

Western Area

Manitoba (Winnipeg)
Alberta South (Calgary)
Alberta North – Saskatchewan (Edmonton)
British Columbia (Burnaby)

Head count: 1,702

13 laboratories:

Atlantic (2), Quebec (2), Ontario (3), Western (6)

Sidney (BC) – Plant health
Burnaby, BC – Food safety
Calgary, AB – Food safety
Lethbridge, AB – Animal health; WOAH (OIE) reference laboratory
Saskatoon, SK – Animal health, food safety, plant health WOAH (OIE) reference laboratory
Winnipeg, MB – Animal health, food safety WOAH (OIE) reference laboratory
Greater Toronto Region, ON – Food safety
Ottawa (Fallowfield), ON – Animal health, food safety, plant health
Ottawa (Carling), ON – Animal health, food safety, plant health
Longueil, QC – Food safety
Saint-Hyacinthe, QC – Animal health, food safety
Charlottetown, PEI – Plant health
Dartmouth, NS – Food safety

Tenure

Indeterminate: 6,229
Term: 673
Student and other: 213
Substantive population: 7,115

CFIA budget

The forecasted spending for the CFIA in 2024 to 2025 is $1,064M, including internal services
The CFIA collects between $53M to $58M of revenues for various services, with cost recovery rate below 12%. CFIA can retain and re-spend the revenues, with minor exceptions, to support its operations
The CFIA has the authority to compensate producers for the animal or things ordered destroyed for disease/pests control purposes (paid from the Consolidated Revenue Fund)

How the agency does it

CFIA mandate delivery

The CFIA is well organized to deliver its mandate through clear roles and responsibilities, as well as strong internal collaboration.

Strategic direction

Policy and Program Branch provides strategic policy direction and regulatory framework for the agency and sets out program policies and procedures

Mandate implementation

Operations Branch implements policies and programs through compliance, enforcement activities, while responding to incidents and emergencies
Science Branch provides scientific advice and risk intelligence to support sound and evidence-based decisions while providing lab services in supporting in program design and delivery
International Affairs Branch brings together CFIA-AAFC expertise to support 2-way trade through regulatory and technical cooperation, risk preparedness and mitigation and trade negotiations for market access

Enablers

Other branches enable mandate delivery by mobilizing people, managing financial resources, enabling information technology, and providing communication, legal and audit support

CFIA organizational structure

Senior Executives

Paul MacKinnon
President

Vacant
Executive Vice-President

Delivery of CFIA mandate

Debbie Beresford-Green
Vice-President, Operations
Delivers inspection programs and takes compliance and enforcement action

Robert Ianiro
Vice-President, Policy and Programs
Guides strategic policy to drive CFIA's regulatory agenda, and program design

Dr. David Nanang
Vice-President, Science
Provides scientific leadership, advice and laboratory services

Vacant
Associate Vice-President, Operations
Delivers inspection programs and takes compliance and enforcement action

Diane Allan
Associate Vice-President, Policy and Programs
Guides strategic policy to drive CFIA's regulatory agenda, and program design

Scott Rattray
Inspector General
Supports inspection delivery and program design through quality assurance activities and reviews

Shared services with AAFC

Kathleen Donohue
Assistant Deputy Minister (AAFC) and Vice-President (CFIA), International Affairs
Leads on international market access (import and export) and trade activities

Kristine Allen
Executive Director and Senior General Counsel, Legal Services
Delivers strategic, outcomes-based legal advice to the CFIA and AAFC

Corporate Services

Raman Srivastava
Vice-President, Human Resources
Enable talent identification, acquisition and mobilization

Stanley Xu
Vice-President, Corporate Management Chief Financial Officer
Provides oversight of financial management and real property and security management services

Martin Rubenstein
Chief, Audit and Evaluation
Provides evidence-based advice and assurance to senior management

Jane Hazel
Vice-President, Communications and Public Affairs
Delivers internal and external communication services

César Kagame
Ombuds
Investigates complaints and promotes accountability, fairness, and transparency

Corporate Services and delivery of CFIA mandate

Todd Cain
Vice-President, Chief Information and Innovation Officer, Digital Services
Delivers on major projects and priority change initiatives and enables information and information technology

Strategic vision

To be a global leader in protecting the health of Canada's animals and plants, and in maintaining one of the world's safest food systems – contributing to the health and well-being of Canadians and supporting a strong, innovative and sustainable economy.

Pillars

Keeping Canadians food safe and protecting our animal and plant resources
Enabling businesses to contribute, grow and support Canada's economy
Valuing and investing in our people

Visions

Best in class food safety, animal, and plant health system
Canadian businesses are prospering at home and globally, driving economic growth, innovation and sustainability
To be an employer of choice where people thrive, feel empowered and grow in meaningful careers

Stakeholder and partner engagement

Federal departments and agencies

Food safety
Animal health
Plant protection
Market access
Emergency management
Innovation and industry growth
Food safety
Supply chain
Biosafety standards

Provincial-Territorial-Municipal governments

Enforce jurisdictional food safety, plant and animal health requirements
Collaborate in responding to food safety incidents
Prevent and manage plant and animal health emergencies

International partners

Set import requirements, verify export requirements
Comparability and acceptance of relevant systems (for example, inspection)
Develop international science-based rules, standards, etc.
Negotiate and implement free trade agreements
Engage in regulatory and technical cooperation with international counterparts on animal health, plant health, and food safety

Industry

Production of safe food
Comply with food, animal health and plant health regulatory requirements
Develop and implement best management practices including preventive controls
Share trade policy positions and market access priorities
Provide market intelligence on import and export requirements

Consumers

Safe food handling and preparation
Making informed choices about the food they eat
Awareness of plant and animal risks (for example, transporting infested firewood)

CFIA partnerships within the federal government

The CFIA works in close collaboration with other federal government departments and agencies within and outside of the health and agriculture portfolios, particularly as it relates to food safety, plant and animal health regulations, as well as responding to incidents/emergencies, and to support industry and trade.

Global Affairs Canada
- Market access
Health Canada
- Food safety
Public Health Agency of Canada
- Animal health
- Emergency management
- Biosafety standards
Economic and Social Development Canada
- Food security
Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Plant protection
Transport Canada
- Animal health
- Market access
- Supply chain
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
- Animal health
- Plant protection
- Market access
- Emergency management
- Innovation and industry growth
- Food security
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
- Market access
- Innovation and industry growth
- Supply chain
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
- Food safety
- Emergency management
- Food security
Canada Border Services Agency
- Food safety
- Animal health
- Plant protection
- Market access
- Supply chain
Natural Resources Canada
- Plant protection

CFIA food recall process

A food incident occurs when there is reason to believe that food is unsafe or that it does not comply with federal acts and regulations. In response, CFIA initiates a 5-step process to investigate and determine if a food recall is necessary. A food recall is the removal of a food from further sale or use, or the correction of its label, at any point in the supply chain, as a risk mitigation action.

1. Trigger

Starts a food safety investigation (for example, complaint, CFIA inspection activities, surveillance sample, company-initiated action).

2. Food safety investigation

Confirms the hazard and extent of the problem, identifies the root cause, and collects information for a risk assessment.

3. Risk assessment

Determines the level of health risk posed by the product. Conducted by Health Canada (HC) or within CFIA if HC policy/guideline exists.

4. Recall process

Determines if recall is required and issues a recall warning where necessary. The recalling firm is responsible for conducting the recall. CFIA verifies the effectiveness of the recall. Additional (secondary) recalls may be required.

5. Follow-up

Works with the regulated party to ensure that any problems that led to the recall are resolved, as well as with industry sectors or foreign countries to address broader incidents that go beyond the recalling firm or sector.

On average, CFIA conducts 2,806 food safety investigations and oversees 161 food recall incidents each year.

Pre-market approvals

The CFIA plays an important role in pre-market research, review, approval, and licensing in protecting animal and plant health, as well as bolstering sector growth and trade.

Examples of CFIA's role and responsibilities

The agency is the regulatory authority for veterinary vaccines and animal feeds in Canada, responsible for pre-market assessment of veterinary vaccines and livestock feeds to ensure they are safe and effective to keep animals healthy and minimize the impacts of diseases
The CFIA is also responsible for research authorizations, approvals and registrations of plant varieties, seed cleaners, and fertilizer and supplement products in support of market access and innovation while protecting the environment. In addition, granting intellectual property rights for new plant varieties is crucial to drive investment, innovation, and growth in Canada's agriculture, horticulture and ornamental sectors

Emergency management at the CFIA

The agency activates an emergency response plan when the required response is expected to exceed normal operational capacities or is particularly complex and requires enhanced coordination and communications.

CFIA is responsible for managing 2 types of emergencies:

mandate-specific (for example, food safety, animal, or plant health emergencies)
non-mandate-specific (for example, infrastructure or other public welfare emergencies)

Emergency response requires multiple organizations to work alongside each other effectively. In cases involving a federally reportable animal disease, plant pest, or hazard controlled by the CFIA, the agency is considered to be a primary stakeholder with overarching legislative authority for the response measures, working closely with key stakeholders (for example, federal and provincial-territorial partners, industry, indigenous groups, scientists, consumers).

In 2023, the agency simultaneously responded to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), bovine tuberculosis (bTB), potato wart, and oak wilt
In the 2024 to 2025 fiscal year, CFIA is concurrently responding to HPAI, MSX of oysters, and bTB

Emergency Management Framework

Parliamentary reporting

Fees Report – Fiscal year 2023 to 2024 for the CFIA

In 2023 to 2024, the CFIA's total revenue from fees was $56.5M, while total costs amounted to $468.7M.

Fees were set through 2 mechanisms:

fees set by acts, regulations, or fee notices generated the most revenue at $55.9 million, with costs of $468 million and $2.3 million in remissions
fees set by contract generated $0.6 million in revenue with costs of $0.6 million, and no remissions applied. Fees charged by the CFIA under the Access to Information Act are not subject to the Service Fees Act and are not included in this report

2023 to 2024 Annual Report on the Access to Information Act and 2023 to 2024 Annual Report on the Privacy Act

In 2023 to 2024, the CFIA received 237 new requests under the Access to Information Act, bringing the total to 292 when combined with 55 outstanding requests from the previous year. During this period, 223 requests were processed, while 69 were carried forward to 2024 to 2025.

The ATIP office reviewed a total of 210,380 pages during the reporting period, of which 49,639 were released. This represents a 27% increase in the number of pages reviewed compared to the last reporting period. Additionally, the ATIP office improved its service standard, with approximately 88% of requests closed within legislated timelines, reflecting a 10% increase from the previous reporting period.

Departmental Results Report for the 2023 to 2024 fiscal year for the CFIA

In 2023 to 2024, the CFIA's total actual spending, including internal services, amounted to $1,079.3 million, while the total number of full-time equivalent staff, including internal services, was 6,853.

The following highlights key results achieved by the CFIA in support of its 3 departmental results in 2023 to 2024, organized by theme.

Modernizing regulation and empowering stakeholders:The CFIA engaged with stakeholders and held public consultations on the Seeds Regulations and modernization of Part B of the Food and Drug Regulations, including the framework for food compositional standards. Updated hatchery regulations took effect in November 2023. The CFIA also pre-published proposed amendments to the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations to address internal trade barriers in Lloydminster
Preventing, preparing for, and responding to emergencies:The CFIA continued to actively address the largest outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Canada's history while preparing for the possible arrival of other diseases such as African swine fever (ASF) and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). In addition, the CFIA maintained its critical focus on food safety, overseeing several high-profile food recalls, including cantaloupes linked to Salmonella and imported enoki mushrooms contaminated with Listeria
Strengthening scientific collaboration and international cooperation:The CFIA entered into 49 international arrangements that advanced Canada's interest in international regulatory cooperation and science collaboration. In collaboration with its partners in Canada and abroad, the CFIA applies a One Health approach to many issues encompassed by its mandate, including zoonotic disease and antimicrobial resistance

Departmental Plan for the 2024 to 2025 fiscal year for the CFIA

The key priorities for CFIA in 2024 to 2025, organized by theme, are highlighted below:

Modernizing regulation and empowering stakeholders:The CFIA will support the Government of Canada's efforts to create a more flexible and transparent regulatory framework, enhance digital services, and contribute to a resilient economy with a focus on increasing overseas exports
Preventing, and preparing for emergencies:The CFIA will support the Government of Canada's efforts to proactively plan for and respond to emerging incidents and hazards, including preventing ASF, while continuing to collaborate on measures for potato wart, HPAI and FMD
Strengthening scientific collaboration and international cooperation:The CFIA will support the Government of Canada's commitment to combat antimicrobial resistance. Additionally, in collaboration with Indigenous partners, the Agency will implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, advance reconciliation and fulfill constitutional obligations
Supporting an enabled workforce and managing services and assets:The CFIA will implement the Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity, and Inclusion in the Federal Public Service while supporting the Government of Canada's efforts under the Federal Greening Government Strategy
Refocusing government spending and making efficient use of resources:The CFIA plans to reduce spending by$12.4M in 2024 to 2025, $18.3M in 2025 to 2026, and $26.5M in 2026 to 2027 and beyond. These reductions will be achieved through a modernized inspection approach, resource adjustments in response to industry's changing business models, a greater focus on research collaboration and operational efficiencies

Senior leaders biographies

President

Paul MacKinnon

Paul MacKinnon was appointed President of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) on January 27, 2024.

Before joining the CFIA, Paul served as Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (2021 to 2024) at the Privy Council Office, supporting legislative priorities and advising on government operations. As Executive Vice-President of the CBSA (2019 to 2021), he managed Canada's COVID-19 border response, keeping trade routes open. Prior roles include Assistant Deputy Minister at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (2016 to 2019), advancing immigration policy, and at Public Safety Canada (2011 to 2016), where he led Canada's negotiation of the Canada-U.S. preclearance agreement to streamline secure travel and trade.

Paul has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Prince Edward Island.

Vice-President, Policy and Programs

Robert Ianiro

Robert Ianiro was appointed the Vice-President of the Policy and Programs Branch at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) on October 16th, 2023. Prior to this, Robert was the Assistant Deputy Minister of Enterprise IT Procurement and Corporate Services Branch, at Shared Services Canada, and also the Vice-President of the Human Resources Branch at CFIA. Robert also worked at Health Canada (HC) for over 20 years, assuming a wide-range of executive roles in various branches. These include, but aren't limited to, his role as the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, as well as the Director General of Human Resources.

Robert is a skilled leader with significant experience in science-based legislative and regulatory development and implementation; strategic and operational policy development and execution; leadership of national compliance and enforcement programs; enterprise-wide human resources management; stakeholder engagement; and international collaboration.

Some of his accomplishments include leading the policy development and Royal Assent of the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act; renewal of Canada's Tobacco Strategy; representing Canada internationally (UN, OECD, APEC), and working to ensure a continued safe and secure food supply for Canadians during COVID-19.

Robert was born and raised in Ottawa and obtained his Bachelor of Science (Honours, Biochemistry) from the University of Ottawa. He is a proud husband and active hockey and ringette dad to 2 children. In his free time, he likes to travel, bike, cook, and spend quality time with his family.

Associate Vice-President, Policy and Programs

Diane Allan

Diane Allan is the Associate Vice-President of Policy and Programs at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Prior to starting her public service career, Diane worked in the biotechnology sector for a few years. In the 90s, she began her public service career managing grants and contributions programs and continually progressed in more senior roles in both policy development and operational delivery within Health Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Transport Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. She has played a pivotal leadership role in regulatory, science delivery and operational mandates which have advanced organizational and Government of Canada priorities through continuous partnerships, awareness and engagement.

Diane is a scientist by training with degrees in biochemistry, animal physiology, and cellular and molecular medicine. Previously the Chief Diversity Officer and in her current role as Co-Champion of the National Indigenous Advisory Circle at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, she is a strong advocate for equity, diversity and inclusiveness.

Vice-President, Science

David Nanang

Dr. David Nanang has been the Vice-President of Science since October 2023. Prior to this, he was Associate Vice-President of Operations from May 2021 to October 2023.

Before joining the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, David was the Regional Director General for the Central and Arctic Region of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and before that was the Regional Director General for Ontario of the Canadian Forest Service of Natural Resources Canada.

David is an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto and holds degrees in Natural Resources Management, a Master of Science in Forestry from Lakehead University, and a PhD in Forest Economics from the University of Alberta.

In addition to his role as a Vice President, David is also the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer of the CFIA and serves as a member of the federal ADM Taskforce on the Clerk's Call to Action.

Vice-President and Assistant Deputy Minister, International Affairs (CFIA/AAFC)

Kathleen Donohue

Kathleen Donohue is the Vice-President and Assistant Deputy Minister of the International Affairs Branch, bringing together complementary CFIA-AAFC expertise together to implement sector trade priorities and focused on advancing the government's trade agenda for Canadian agriculture and agri-food products abroad.

Kathleen brings extensive trade experience to her current position, having previously held the positions of Director and Executive Director of Market Access Coordination and then Director General of the Market Access Secretariat at AAFC, as well as having served overseas as Counsellor (Agriculture) at the High Commission of Canada to India and as Counsellor (Commercial) and Senior Trade Commissioner at the Embassy of Canada to Japan.

Prior to serving abroad, Kathleen worked in various executive positions at AAFC, Global Affairs Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development focused on advancing Canada's trade, investment and innovation agenda.

Born in Montreal, Kathleen holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Concordia University and is a graduate of the School of Community and Public Affairs.

Vice-President, Human Resources

Dr. Raman Srivastava

Dr. Raman Srivastava was appointed Vice President of Human Resources at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) on February 14, 2022.

Before joining the CFIA, Dr. Srivastava served as Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Data Officer at Health Canada, leading data modernization efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. As Director General at Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the Public Service Commission, and National Defence, he advanced key initiatives in public service innovation and organizational transformation. Earlier in his career, he held director roles at Health Canada, the Treasury Board Secretariat, and CFIA, and served as a Trade Commissioner with Foreign Affairs and International Trade, as well as a Policy Economist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Dr. Srivastava holds a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, dual Master's degrees in Agricultural Economics, and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics. He has been recognized with the President's Leadership Excellence Award from the CFIA, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the Government of Ontario's Volunteer Appreciation Award.

Vice-President, Operations

Debbie Beresford-Green

Debbie joined CFIA in October 2023. Prior to joining the CFIA, Debbie was at Health Canada and held various executive positions since joining in 2008. Her most recent position was Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services, for Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada. She has also been responsible for regional regulatory operations including regional laboratories and inspection activities; and grants and contributions funding for programs and the National anti-Drug Strategy and the Roadmap for Official languages. She also served as the Chair of the Council of the Network of Official Languages Champions for the Government of Canada.

Debbie began her Public Service career as a Customs Inspector. Over the course of her Public Service career, she has worked in positions of increasing responsibility at Industry Canada, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, and the Canada Revenue Agency at both headquarters and in regional offices.

Inspector General

Scott Rattray

Scott Rattray is the Inspector General. He joined CFIA in 2005 and has since held a variety of executive positions including in internal audit.

Since joining Operations Branch, he has served as the Director of the National Enforcement and Investigations Services division, the Director of Issues Management, the Executive Director of the Inspection Support Division, and was the Inspector General from 2017-2020. Scott has also served on many of the CFIA's incident response teams including the XL Food emergency response and the COVID response; he is currently the accountable Vice-President for the agency's avian influenza response. Prior to joining CFIA, Scott held positions at the International Development Research Centre, Export Development Canada, and Parks Canada. He has a B.A. and an M.A. from Carleton and is a Certified Internal Auditor.

Vice-President, Corporate Management and Chief Financial Officer

Stanley Xu

Stanley Xu was appointed the Vice-President, Corporate Management Branch and the Chief Financial Officer on December 9, 2022.

Stanley has over 25 years of financial management experience in the federal government, and most recently served as the Deputy Chief Financial Officer of the CFIA from 2019 to 2022. Before re-joining the CFIA in 2019, Stanley was the Executive Director, Policy, Internal Control and Corporate Accounting in Health Canada (HC), providing shared financial services to both HC and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).

Stanley is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Certified General Accountant (CGA), and has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of British Columbia.

Vice-President, Digital Services and Chief Information Officer

Todd Cain

Todd Cain has been the Vice President of the Digital Services Branch and Chief Information and Innovation Officer of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency since April 2022. He possesses broad-based experience in regulatory programs, governance, organizational development and change management.

Prior to joining CFIA, he held various Director General roles at Health Canada, Public Safety and the Privy Council Office since joining the public service in 2013. His private sector experience includes consulting, research, merger and acquisition and HR roles with Deloitte, Ford, General Electric and the Institute on Governance.

He holds a Masters of Industrial and Labour Relations from Cornell University as well as a Bachelor of Public Administration from Carleton University.

Vice-President, Communications and Public Affairs

Jane Hazel

Jane Hazel was appointed Vice-President of the Communications and Public Affairs Branch in September 2019.

Prior to joining the CFIA, she was the Director General of Communications at the Canada Revenue Agency. She also spent over 20 years at Health Canada, working on social marketing campaigns to promote healthy behaviours.

Jane has a Bachelor of Science from McGill and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Ottawa.

Chief Audit Executive, Head of Evaluation

Martin Rubenstein

Marty joined the CFIA as Chief, Audit and Evaluation on November 28, 2022.

Before joining the CFIA, Martin served as Director General, Integrity Risk Management at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). He was previously the Chief Audit Executive at IRCC, at Transport Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Marty is also the Canadian representative on the Audit Committee for the Organization of American States.

Marty brings a wealth of experience to the agency, having managed and been accountable for comprehensive risk-based audit and evaluation policies, plans, and programs within various departments in the federal public service. Marty also serves as the Senior Integrity Officer and the Champion of Values & Ethics for the agency.

Martin has a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Finance) from Carleton University, is a Chartered Professional Accountant, a Certified Internal Auditor and a Certified Fraud Examiner.

Executive Director and Senior General Counsel, Legal Services

Kristine Allen

Kristine Allen is the Executive Director and Senior General Counsel of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Legal Services, where she is responsible for leading a team of legal professionals who work together to deliver strategic, outcomes-based legal services to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Canadian Dairy Commission and the Farm Products Council of Canada.

As a Department of Justice legal advisor to the Government of Canada, Kristine has delivered such client services for over 25 years to a broad range of client organizations, including Transport Canada, Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, the Canada Border Services Agency and Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Ombuds

César Kagame

César Kagame is a seasoned executive and the first Ombuds for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), bringing 15 years of federal public service experience, including 7 years in executive leadership roles.

Prior to joining the CFIA, Mr. Kagame served as Director of Access to Information and Privacy Protection at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. In this role, he was the department's senior ATIP delegated authority and Deputy Chief Privacy Officer; he also acted as Director General of the Executive Secretariat and Chief Privacy Office. His leadership was instrumental in modernizing ATIP services through digitization, streamlining information disclosure processes, implementing the proactive disclosure framework under Bill C-58, and strengthening departmental compliance.

Mr. Kagame also held key leadership positions at Shared Services Canada, where he led privacy governance for enterprise-wide technology transitions and contributed to the development of national privacy frameworks and policies. Earlier in his career, he held progressively management roles at Correctional Service Canada, Statistics Canada, and Indigenous Services Canada, with responsibilities spanning information management, privacy policy, and operational management.

Mr. Kagame is a committed advocate of a people-first leadership approach. As Ombuds, he continues to champion fairness, transparency, and inclusivity, fostering a workplace where individuals feel respected, heard, valued, and supported.

Early engagement opportunities

Provincial and Territorial (PT) stakeholders

The CFIA engages with its provincial and territorial counterparts throughout the year at the ADM, DM, and Ministerial levels through established governance tables.

2025 annual meeting of Federal, Provincial and Territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture

This year's meeting is expected to take place in from July 16 to 18, 2025, in Winnipeg.

Tentative agenda for July 2025 annual meeting of FPT Ministers

Top priorities

Path forward to the next policy framework (strategic discussion)
- overview of forward plan and timelines; progress on strategic initiatives under the current agreement
International trade and market access (strategic discussion)
- trade/tariffs with U.S. / China
- discussion on supports to the sector (Business Risk Management, Sustainable CAP, other)
- marketing of products
- reciprocity of trade
Business Risk Management (for decision)
- AgriRecovery review
- AgriStability options
- livestock price insurance
Internal trade (strategic discussion/priority setting)
- progress on pilots
- discussion on other opportunities to increase interprovincial trade
Animal disease preparedness (discussion and guidance)
- African Swine Fever, Surplus Hog Management Program and policy options on phase 2
- Foot and mouth disease
- Avian influenza

Other items

Regulatory updates: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy specified risk management harmonization with the U.S, honeybee imports, etc.
Grocery code of conduct: progress and next steps
Crop protections/pesticides: annual reporting on the action plan endorsed by ministers in 2024
Renewal of the emergency management framework for agriculture
Sustainability (focus TBC)
Engagement with Indigenous or other under-represented groups (focus TBC)

Previous notable Ministerial engagements

February 7, 2025 (Ottawa, ON): FPT Ministers of Agriculture met to discuss the evolving Canada-United States trading relationship in the context of U.S. tariffs
July 17 to 19, 2024 (Whitehorse, YK): FPT Ministers annual conference. Agenda items included:
- international trade and market access
- the grocery code of conduct, animal disease preparedness
- business risk management
- update from the FPT Pesticide Management Working Group
- internal trade and other regulatory priorities

List of provincial and territorial counterparts

British Columbia

The Honourable Lana Popham – Minister of Agriculture and Food

(Appointed November 2024)

Alberta

The Honourable RJ Sigurdson - Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation

(Appointed June 2023)

Saskatchewan

The Honourable Daryl Harrison - Minister of Agriculture,

Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation,

Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Water Security Agency

(Appointed November 2024)

Manitoba

The Honourable Ron Kostyshyn - Minister of Agriculture

(Appointed October 2023)

Ontario

The Honourable Rob Flack - Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness

(Appointed June 2024)

Quebec

The Honourable André Lamontagne - Ministre de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation, Ministre responsable de la région du Centre-du-Québec

(Appointed October 2022)

New Brunswick

The Honourable Pat Finnigan - Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries

(Appointed November 2024)

Nova Scotia

The Honourable Greg Morrow - Minister of Agriculture

(Appointed August 2021)

Prince Edward Island

The Honourable Bloyce Thompson - Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, Attorney General and Deputy Premier

(Appointed April 2023)

Newfoundland and Labrador

The Honourable Gerry Byrne - Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, Minister Responsible for the Public Procurement Agency

(Appointed April 2021)

Northwest Territories

The Honourable Caitlin Cleveland - Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment

(Appointed September 2024)

Yukon

The Honourable John Streicker - Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources, Minister of Tourism and Culture, Minister responsible for the Yukon Development Corporation and the Yukon Energy Corporation, Minister responsible for the French Language Services Directorate

(Appointed November 2016)

Nunavut

The Honourable David Akeeagok - Minister of Justice, Minister of Community Services, Minister responsible for Nunavut Business Credit Corporation, Minister responsible for Nunavut Development Corporation, Minister responsible for Mines, Minister responsible for Trade, Minister responsible for the Labour Standards Board, Minister responsible for the Human Rights Tribunal

(Appointed November 2021)

Industry stakeholders

Find below select industry stakeholders you might consider meeting with during your first 100 days.

Key stakeholders (organized by group)

Field crops

Canada Grains Council
Canadian Seed Growers' Association
Canola Council of Canada

Livestock production

Canadian Pork Council
National Cattle Feeders' Association
Canadian Cattle Association
Chicken Farmers of Canada

Processing

Canadian Meat Council
Food Producers of Canada
Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors
Egg Farmers of Canada (EFC)

Commodity/Fruit and vegetable

Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC)
Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA)

Key stakeholders (detailed analysis)

Canadian Meat Council (CMC)

CMC is a national association representing federally inspected meat packers and processors. The meat industry is Canada's most inspected food sector.

Key interests

Highly engaged in development and implementation of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) slaughter modernization
Market access
Operational and inspection oversight

Issues

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)
Harmonization of Specified Risk Material (SRM) list with the United States
Foot and mouth disease
Highly pathogenic avian influenza in cattle
Labelling claims (for example, policy on the use of the word "natural")
Consistency of inspections

Early engagement rationale

The meat industry is the largest component of Canada's food processing sector
This association actively engages with both Ministers of Health and Agriculture

Recent agency engagement

The CFIA President met with (redacted), on February 11, 2025, and March 18, 2025

Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors (CPEP)

CPEP represents Canadian processors, packagers and distributors of chicken and turkey meat, graders and further processors of eggs, and hatcheries.

Key interests

Highly engaged in developing and implementing the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR)
Operational and inspection oversight

Issues

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)
Shackling feed and hatchery regulations
Salmonella control
Antimicrobial use/antimicrobial resistance
Work shift agreements (CFIA inspection staff presence)
Egg export requirement (CFIA oversight)

Early engagement rationale

The organization represents some of the largest agri-food corporations in Canada with a membership of companies that process and market over 90% of Canada's chicken, turkey, eggs, and hatching eggs

Recent agency engagement

The CFIA President met with CPEP on February 12, 2025

Canada Grains Council (CGC)

CGC represents the interests of the Canadian grain, oilseed, pulse, and special crop sectors. It represents the value chain, including Canadian growers, seed and life science companies, commodity associations, grain companies and public research institutions.

Key interests

Market access opportunities, with the use of the electronic phytosanitary certificate (ePhyto), reducing fraud, increasing security, and facilitating safe and efficient trade (that is, ePhyto exchange)

Issues

All issues relating to exports of Canadian grain, including production, transportation, processing, market acceptance
The council works closely with CropLife Canada on shared priorities

Early engagement rationale

The CGC is the main representative of Canada's grain sector

Recent agency engagement

The CFIA President met with CGC on June 27, 2024

Canadian Seed Growers' Association (CSGA)

CSGA is Canada's national seed crop certification authority enabled by the Seeds Act to establish seed crop varietal purity standards and determine if these standards have been met.

Key interests

Seed regulatory modernization (SRM)
Guaranteeing seed crop varietal purity and genetic identity
International seed trade
Digitally driven in seed quality assurance and genetic traceability

Issues

During the seed regulatory modernization process, CSGA proposed becoming the main administrator through a digital single window via their SeedCert digital platform to manage all seed certification functions on behalf of the government
Seeds Canada is lobbying to have CSGA's authorities in the Seeds Act taken away from them, to which CSGA strongly objects

Early engagement rationale

CSGA plays a major role in alternative service delivery arrangements, as part of the CFIA's full-scale review of the Seeds Regulations

Recent agency engagement

The CFIA met with CSGA on Canada/US Roundtable meeting February 7, 2025
The CFIA President met with the CSGA on October 10, 2024

Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC)

FVGC represents Canada's produce sector, including potatoes, greenhouse and fruit industries with growers across the country involved in the production of over 120 different types of crops on over 14,237 farms.

Key interests

Import and export of fruit and produce
Regulatory impacts on trade

Issues

Seed potato certification and modernization of the Seeds Regulations
Potato wart management
Market access for fruit and vegetable
On-farm food safety management

Early engagement rationale

FVGC represents an important sector with over 120 different types of crops, which amounts to farm cash receipts of close to $7.4 billion (2023)
FVGC supports sector and market competitiveness for Canadian farms, energy efficiency and sustainability

Recent agency engagement

The CFIA met with FVGC on March 11, 2025
Monthly engagement with CFIA's Food Safety and Consumer Protection Directorate

Canadian Cattle Association (CCA)

CCA represents Canada's 60,000 beef farms and feedlots. It works to address issues that concern Canada's beef producers.

Key interests

Market access for Canadian beef producers' interests of cow-calf producers, feedlots, and packers in the Canadian beef industry and "common" priorities with the red meat sector

Issues

Highly pathogenic avian influenza in cattle
Export of hormone-free beef to the European Union
Livestock traceability
Foot and mouth disease vaccine bank
Humane transportation
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy and specified risk material harmonization

Early engagement rationale

The association represents an important sector that contributes $14.9 billion to the economy, including $4.9 billion in international beef exports. It continues to raise the importance of harmonization with the United States and the economic disadvantages they face with the current rules

Recent agency engagement

The CFIA President met with CCA on June 12, 2024
CCA is presently engaged with CFIA at senior executive levels on compensation for producers implicated by bovine tuberculosis

Chicken Farmers of Canada (CFC)

CFC focuses on ensuring a stable and sustainable Canadian chicken industry through supply management.

Key interests

CFC plays a role in developing, partnering or managing programs for farmers, including on-farm food safety programs and other biosecurity initiatives
CFC sets and enforces industry regulations, including those related to quota allocation, interprovincial trade, and market development

Issues

Antimicrobial resistance
Highly pathogenic avian influenza response and vaccine strategy
Availability of products to support animal health (vaccines, feed)

Early engagement rationale

CFC is currently focused on Highly pathogenic avian influenza preparedness, response and recovery given the current outbreak

Recent agency engagement

The CFIA President met with CFC on May 13, 2024

Canola Council of Canada (CCC)

The CCC is the first industry association in Canada to encompass all links in the value chain. Members include canola growers, life science companies, grain handling companies, exporters and processors, as well as food and feed manufacturers. All sit down at the same table to address shared challenges and develop a common platform for growth.

Key interests

Seed regulatory modernization (SRM) and Independent Seed Standards Body (ISSB)
Plant breeding innovation (PBI) and sustainability
Market access

Issues

Canola industry response to imposition of tariffs on Canadian canola meal and oil
Review the impact of recent trade policy decisions
The CFIA is conducting a full-scale review of the Seeds Regulations and is open to substantial change, including examining the role of government in the regulation of Seeds

Early engagement rationale

The new updated guidance on plant-derived feed ingredient requires a pre-market assessment aims to provide clarity in accordance with the Feeds Regulations

Recent agency engagement

The CFIA President last met with CCC on July 8th, 2024

Egg Farmers of Canada

Egg Farmers of Canada is a national organization that represents Canada's more than 1200 regulated egg farmers in all 10 provinces and the Northwest Territories. It manages the egg supply, egg promotion and developing standards for egg farming in Canada.

Key interests

Food safety
Sustainability
Animal care
Food Safety Recognition Program (FSRP)

Issues

Food labelling modernization and the need for plant-based products to be labelled and advertised in a manner that is truthful and not misleading
Avian influenza is a bird health issue which can potentially impact human health

Early engagement rationale

All poultry and egg farmers work with the CFIA, as well as other federal and provincial governments and agencies to prevent, contain and eradicate the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak

Recent agency engagement

The CFIA is scheduled to meet with Egg Farmers of Canada on June 2, 2025

Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA)

The CPMA represents companies actively market fresh fruits and fresh vegetables in Canada. Their members comprise every segment of the produce industry supply chain – including growers, shippers, packers, marketers, importers, exporters and retailers. They represent international and Canadian members who are responsible for 90% of the fresh fruit and vegetable sales in Canada.

Key interests

Development and implementation of Safe Food for Canadians Regulations
CFIA's food product innovation regulatory package
Reduction of regulatory burden

Issues

Grade verification for export to the United States
Labelling and traceability requirements
Engagement fatigue

Early engagement rationale

CPMA represents several companies with interest in test market authorization for labelling, grades and package size

Recent agency engagement

Monthly engagement as part of the Fresh Produce Alliance-CFIA Technical Working Group

Canadian Pork Council (CPC)

With 9 provincial pork industry associations representing 7,000 farms, the organization plays a role in achieving and maintaining a dynamic and prosperous Canadian pork sector.

Key interests

Foot and mouth disease
African swine fever
Trade negotiations
Traceability

Issues

Traceability, food safety and animal care
Disease surveillance, biosecurity or antimicrobial resistance
Foreign trade initiatives aimed at expanding market access

Early engagement rationale

CPC represent an important sector that contributes significantly to Canada's economy
It raises concerns on Canada's labelling requirements for red meat products conform to the principles of national treatment and the convention of permitting a labelling claim for the country where the last significant transformation occurred

Recent agency engagement

The CFIA met with CPC on March 20, 2025

National Cattle Feeders' Association (NCFA)

The NCFA is a business-oriented organization dedicated to the advancement of the national fed cattle value chain focused on 3 pillars: sustainable growth and profitability, competitiveness and industry leadership and partnership.

Key interests

NCFA works to improve the growth and sustainability of the beef sector in Canada

Issues

Food and mouth disease preparedness
Timely approval of innovative products
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antimicrobial use (AMU)
Traceability
Animal movement
Market access

Early engagement rationale

NCFA is active in the AMR review in animals to support animal health and welfare and in turn support food security in Canada
The CFIA is aiming to harmonize with the United States list of cattle material prohibited from animal feed

Recent agency engagement

The CFIA President last met with NCFA on January 21, 2025

Hot issues

Food hazards and animal disease outbreaks

Recent food illness outbreak: Listeriosis

Context

The plant-based food sector represents a relatively small and recently regulated segment within the broader manufactured food sector
The Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) came into force in January 2019, strengthening Canada's food safety system by applying full federal food safety oversight to all foods. The manufactured food sector was fully onboarded in 2022, adding over 12,000 new licence holders
With the increased food safety requirements of the SFCR and the increase in the number of regulated parties, the CFIA introduced a risk-based approach to allocate resources proportionally to the level of risk
As a science-based organization, this risk-based approach to inspection draws from various sources including technical knowledge and experience and expertise of CFIA inspectors and scientists
In 2024 to 2025, an outbreak of listeriosis linked to plant-based beverages caused illness and death across 4 Canadian provinces
- There were 20 confirmed cases, 15 hospitalizations and 3 deaths
- The regional distribution of the cases was the following: Ontario (13), Quebec (5), Alberta (1) and Nova Scotia (1)
The outbreak was linked to certain Silk brand and Great Value brand plant-based refrigerated beverage products manufactured in Pickering, Ontario by Joriki Inc.
The tragedy received significant negative media attention directed at the facility, with isolated but severe negative media coverage of the CFIA from the Globe and Mail in December 2024 (ranging from criticism of recall effectiveness and third-party audits to an alleged failed algorithm for determining inspection frequencies and increased industry self-policing).

Timeline

On October 11, 2024, PHAC declared that the outbreak was over. The CFIA does not anticipate additional recalls
On October 29, 2024, the CFIA issued a statement on the conclusion of its food safely investigation which addressed a number of points:
the facility did not properly adhere to Health Canada's Policy on Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods
the CFIA had not conducted a licence inspection prior to its food safety investigation given the facility was not considered high-risk before the Listeria monocytogenes contamination
in response to consumer complaints the CFIA had previously received on the possible presence of allergens, off-taste, and mould issues, the agency followed up with the consumer, retailer, distributor and manufacturer. This included on site visits to the manufacturer for a number for the complaints.
The company conducted internal follow-up and implemented appropriate corrective actions where required
the statement also committed to an Inspector General review (as noted in next section)
On December 31, 2024, Joriki Inc. requested to surrender their Safe Food for Canadians licence for their Pickering facility, as the company no longer conducted any licensable activities at that location. In January 2025, it was reported that Joriki Inc. filed for creditor protection.

Current status

The President of the CFIA directed its Inspector General's Office (IGO) to undertake two projects:

verify regulatory compliance across a sample of plant-based food manufacturers and
review the complaints process to see how the CFIA is integrating this information into risk modeling and inspection frequency

Lead Branch: Operations Branch

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) update – Poultry and dairy

Context

HPAI is a highly contagious viral infection caused by influenza A (H5N1). It can affect all species of birds (including poultry), as well as mammals (including dairy cattle)
Humans can also get sick from HPAI. The risk of infection remains low for the general public and low-to-moderate for occupationally exposed groups. To date there is no evidence of transmission of HPAI to humans via ingestion of foods. The CFIA works collaboratively with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Health Canada (HC) by taking a One Health approach to ensure the safety of Canadians. In November 2024, a human case from HPAI was confirmed in Canada
Since December 2021, the Government of Canada (GC) has been monitoring, investigating and responding to HPAI outbreaks in poultry. From December 2021 to March 2025, 531 premises across Canada were reported to have been infected, with a total of approximately 14.5 million poultry affected
The CFIA responds to HPAI outbreaks in poultry by establishing movement controls and implementing a stamping out policy. It also imposes strict requirements on the import of animals and animal products from countries where HPAI is known to exist
The Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System provides links to a reportable avian influenza dashboard in domestic birds. In addition, the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative publishes highly pathogenicity avian influenza wildlife dashboard reporting CFIA-confirmed HPAI cases in wild animals
Although its presence has been detected in dairy cattle in the U.S., HPAI has not been detected in dairy cattle or other livestock in Canada, except in poultry. Documented cases in Canada of H5N1 in non-avian species, such as cats and dogs, remains low (1 dog, 2 domestic cats, 2 feral cats)
The agency collaborates with industry and other federal partners to implement early-detection measures for HPAI in cattle, including testing raw milk at the processor level. The CFIA has established national objectives to respond to possible future outbreaks of HPAI in dairy cattle, while working collaboratively with provincial authorities to achieve them
To prevent HPAI in cattle from entering the country from the U.S., Canada has implemented measures including enhanced import requirements on dairy cattle coming from the U.S.
The CFIA recently approved HPAI vaccines for use in chickens, but vaccination for HPAI is not currently permitted in Canada. A task force has been established with broad stakeholder membership to discuss the benefits and challenges associated with vaccination
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced a comprehensive strategy to address HPAI and granted conditional approval for a vaccine, based on the demonstration of safety, purity, and reasonable efficacy, to combat circulating H5N1 strains affecting poultry and cows

Current status

The case of a flock of approximately 400 ostriches in Edgewood, British Columbia (BC) confirmed to be affected by HPAI in December 2024 and for which the stamping out policy applies, has garnered considerable media coverage and public inquiries. The agency is currently awaiting a decision on a judicial review
Since 2022, 40 countries have imposed trade restrictions on Canadian imports of certain poultry and poultry products (for example, the U.S, Mexico, China, Japan, and the European Union). Some countries have implemented Canada-wide import restrictions, while others have implemented provincial or zone-specific trade restrictions
National active surveillance of raw milk at the processor level is ongoing. As of April 2, 2025, CFIA laboratories have tested 2,954 raw milk samples, all testing negative for HPAI. As of September 5, 2024, CFIA laboratories tested 1,211 retail milk samples from across Canada as the first phase of milk sample and all have tested negative for HPAI fragments, with no evidence of disease detected in cows
CFIA and HC are conducting studies to determine survival of the virus to different food processes involved in milk and cheese processing. To date, pasteurization has been confirmed to be effective in eliminating the virus
The agency is also working with HC and PHAC on a risk management approach for raw milk cheeses
A dairy Event Response Plan, which will inform response actions in case of a detection of HPAI in cattle, has been developed

Next steps

The CFIA continues to work with provinces, territories and a wide range of stakeholders and industry to identify and implement solutions to help minimize the impact of HPAI on the poultry and the dairy sectors, while reducing the threat to public health
The GC continues to work with key trading partners to share information on the HPAI outbreak and to minimize the impact of trade disruptions.
Any suspected cases of HPAI must be reported to the CFIA. The GC continues to closely monitor the evolving situation of HPAI in dairy cows
The CFIA continues to examine the potential use of vaccination against HPAI as part of the disease response in Canada, while engaging with international trading partners on potential vaccination strategies to help minimize any potential impact on trade should a vaccination program be implemented

Lead Branch: Policy and Programs Branch

Multinucleate Sphere X (MSX) / Perkinsus Marinus (Dermo) in Oysters

Context

Multinucleate sphere X unknown (MSX) and Dermo are serious diseases of American oysters (Crassostrea virginica) that can cause significant mortality and reduce the production and harvest of both cultured and wild oysters. While MSX and Dermo prevent oysters from thriving, these diseases are not a food safety concern, and oysters remain safe to consume. However, the economic impact of MSX is considerable. In 2022, oyster aquaculture in Canada was valued at $63 million—making it the most valuable shellfish sector in the country
MSX is the disease caused by a protozoan parasite and causes significant mortality in oysters (up to 90 to 95%). It is impossible to eliminate MSX once found in the marine environment and the full life cycle of the parasite, including the intermediate host, remains unknown
Not all infected oysters show signs of disease. Diagnosis of an MSX infection requires the identification of the disease through laboratory testing
Dermo is a disease caused by another protozoan parasite and causes moderate mortality in oysters (can be up to 50 to 60%). It is impossible to eliminate Dermo once found in the marine environment and it is transmitted directly between oysters
MSX and Dermo are reportable diseases in Canada according to the Health of Animals Act and under the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Any laboratory staff member or person who owns or works with molluscs and suspects a case of MSX and Dermo in Canada must report it to the CFIA. The CFIA is required to notify WOAH of disease detections
MSX and Dermo have been detected in the Atlantic provinces since 2024
- In July 2024, the CFIA confirmed the presence of MSX in oyster samples collected in Bedeque Bay, Prince Edward Island (PEI). The disease was subsequently detected in New Brunswick (NB). PEI was declared as an infected area in February 2025
- In November 2024, the CFIA confirmed the presence of Dermo in oysters located in the waters of both NB and NS
Primary Control Zones have been implemented to help control the diseases to avoid further spread
The Atlantic oyster industry (including Quebec) is very integrated and disease control activities in one province can impact procurement and processing activities in neighbouring areas with a different health status

Current status

Tracing activities and testing of oysters continue to produce further data on the spread of MSX and Dermo in the Atlantic provinces
CFIA veterinary epidemiologists are using disease investigation information to create a sampling plan that targets high risk areas
Oyster industry activities significantly slow down during the winter. The CFIA and DFO continue to regularly meet with affected provinces, including Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador, to work together and discuss control measures
CFIA continues to meet with key stakeholders to provide updates and to address questions and concerns about the diseases

Next steps

Transition to a longer-term disease control mechanism under the aquatic animal Domestic Movement Control Program
Continue to work with NB, NS, and PEI, to determine the status of MSX and Dermo within their jurisdictions following further investigation and sampling.
Conduct disease investigations and response activities and perform extensive updates and technical revisions to the policies, procedures and programs

Lead Branch: Operations Branch

Western area 2024 Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) investigation

Context

On November 29, 2024, it was confirmed that an animal of Canadian origin, which had been slaughtered on October 31, 2024, tested positive for Mycobacterium TB complex by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing
Bovine TB is a listed reportable disease in the Reportable Disease Regulations under the Health of Animals Act (HAA) and is a listed notifiable disease with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) due to its significance as a livestock disease that causes production losses, poses a public health risk, and impacts the trade of livestock and their products

Current status

The CFIA has implemented an Incident Command Structure (ICS) in the Western area to coordinate the ongoing disease investigation
Communication with various stakeholders, including provincial Chief Veterinary Officers (CVOs) from Saskatchewan and Alberta and several cattle associations is frequent and ongoing
Producers are eligible to receive compensation for the market value of the animals ordered destroyed, noting that the CFIA is still waiting for certain information to be able to award compensation
- Under the HAA, the Minister has authority to order compensation to be paid to an owner whose animal has been ordered destroyed. This compensation, which is paid from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, is not meant to provide full economic relief, rather it is meant to encourage disease reporting and owner cooperation in destruction efforts
Producers and the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) have raised concerns regarding compensation for the value of their cattle. Although compensation claims are based on the market value of the animal, they are capped by the maximum amount stipulated in the Compensation for Destroyed Animals and Things Regulations (CDATR)
The maximum amounts for cattle were last updated in 2015 and stakeholders state that the amounts are too low and do not reflect current market value. The maximum amounts currently listed in the CDATR regulations are as follows:
- cattle registered (purebred) = $10,000
- cattle non-registered = $4,500
In the previous outbreaks in 2016, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) worked closely with the CFIA and the implicated provinces to provide broader industry supports under existing programs and the GC also provided tax breaks as part of an overall support package
The CFIA and AAFC continue to work together to understand the scope and scale of this outbreak and to engage the CCA and provinces on their roles and any industry wide implications

Next steps

The disease investigation is in the early stages and continues as tracing of animals is conducted. More farms may be affected as testing results are received

Lead Branch: Operations Branch

Trade related

Canada-U.S. agriculture and agri-food trade

Context

The U.S. is Canada's most important market for agriculture and food products
In 2024, Canadian agriculture and food exports to the United States (U.S.) were valued at nearly $56.6 billion and accounted for 61.4% of Canada's global exports for these products. During the same period, Canada imported $38.0 billion in U.S. agriculture and food products
A number of Canda's top agricultural exports are highly dependent on the U.S. market. For example, in 2024:
- 100% of Canada's live cattle exports
- 97.7% of baked goods; 90.7% of potatoes (frozen prepared/preserved)
- 89.4% of canola oil; 77.6% of beef and beef products; 66.1% of canola meal and
- 37.7% of pork and pork products, were destined for the U.S.
Agriculture and agri-food supply chains are deeply integrated across Canada and the U.S., which enables the supply of safe and affordable food year-round and economic growth of both countries
Although Canada and the U.S. have a Food Safety Systems Recognition Arrangement, the CFIA continuously monitors changes in food safety control systems in the U.S. and takes necessary measures to protect the safety of imported products, ensuring compliance with the Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA) and Regulations (SFCR), and the Food and Drug Act and Regulations
This strong partnership contributes to significant 2-way trade, which benefits businesses and consumers

Timeline

On March 4, 2025, the U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on all Canadian (and Mexican) goods, including agriculture and agri-food products. In response, Canada imposed tariffs on $30 billion in goods imported from the U.S., including
- orange juice
- peanut butter
- wine
- spirits
- beer and
- coffee
As of March 7, 2025, Canadian exports that meet Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) rules of origin and receive a duty-free concession under the U.S. tariff schedule, can continue to enter the U.S. duty-free
On March 12, 2025, the U.S. imposed a 25% tariff under Section 232 on Canadian steel and aluminum. As a result, Canada announced a retaliatory tariff of 25% on U.S. goods worth $29.8 billion. No agricultural goods are included in this new tranche; however, there are indirect impacts from packaging inputs (for example, aluminum cans)
On April 2, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order to apply "reciprocal tariffs" to imports from all countries, except Canada and Mexico, which were already facing tariffs on non-CUSMA compliant imports
On April 9, President Trump announced a pause on these higher reciprocal tariffs (11% to 50%) for 57 countries. Instead, a 10% universal tariff was applied to all imports from U.S. trading partners, except for Canada, Mexico and China
Currently, Canada and China are the only 2 countries with active retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products.
Effective April 16, 2025, Canada is providing temporary relief under a 6-month remission period for U.S. goods used in Canadian manufacturing, processing, food and beverage packaging, and those supporting public health, healthcare, public safety and national security

Current status

The anticipated impacts of the tariffs on Canada's agriculture and agri-food industry are wide-ranging. The tariffs could increase industry costs, disrupt market access, and lead to job and revenue losses
Engagements with U.S. counterparts occur at multiple levels of the CFIA, including our most senior level managers through fora such as the Joint Committee on Food Safety, the Canada-U.S. Plant Health Bilateral Meeting, and regular engagements of our respective Chief Veterinary Officers
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has led stakeholder engagement regarding tariffs and the broader Canada-U.S. relationship and the CFIA has supported these discussions

Next steps

The CFIA will monitor the evolving U.S.-Canada tariff situation, including any changes in regulatory processes in the U.S. and communicate with stakeholders as required
The CFIA will continue to work with AAFC and GAC to help diversify Canada's export markets beyond the U.S. by identifying priority market access issues and potential export markets for Canadian goods

Lead Branch: International Affairs Branch

"Product of Canada" and "Made in Canada" labelling guidelines

Context

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has guidelines for voluntary "Product of Canada" and "Made in Canada" claims on foods. These guidelines have been in effect since December 31, 2008
The agency provides general information and guidance to industry to promote compliance with food labelling requirements under federal food laws. It also verifies compliance with labelling requirements under a risk-based approach
A "Product of Canada" claim can be used on a food product when all or virtually all ingredients, processing and labour used to make the food product are Canadian
A "Made in Canada" claim with a qualifying statement can be used on a food product when the last substantial transformation of the product occurred in Canada, even if some ingredients are from other countries
The Competition Bureau provides guidance on Product of Canada and Made in Canada for claims for non-food consumer goods
Internationally, some countries have their own domestic origin claim requirements which can differ from Canada. For example, Australia has regulations prescribing what claims can be made to identify Australian foods which is accompanied by a bar chart to visually display the proportion of domestic content in the food
In 2019, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and CFIA consulted with industry and the public on a proposal to lower the 98% threshold for "Product of Canada" claims to 85% for all food and change the qualifying statement for "Made in Canada" claims. While there had been support for proposed changes, given the length of time that has passed, and current consumer interest, further studies and work are needed to validate those earlier views

Current status

CFIA's guidelines can help consumers identify Canadian foods that have been grown or raised by Canadian farmers and those made by companies in Canada
If a "Product of Canada" claim cannot be applied to a food, there are other domestic origin claims that can be made. Those are:
- "Made in Canada" claims with a qualifying statement when a food product undergoes its last substantial transformation in Canada. For example, "Made in Canada from domestic and imported ingredients" on a pizza
- claims that describe the Canadian value added may be used without further qualification. For example, "Roasted and blended in Canada" to describe coffee made from imported coffee beans
- claims identifying Canadian ingredients to describe a single component ingredient within the food. For example, "Contains 100% Canadian blueberries" on a prepackaged blueberry pie, where all the blueberries used are Canadian
When companies choose to use these claims, they must be able to demonstrate they are following the CFIA guidelines. It is the responsibility of regulated parties, including those who import food, to comply with the food labelling requirements

Lead Branch: Policy and Programs Branch

Others

Potato wart

Context

Potato wart is a regulated pest in Canada and many other countries. Control measures are required to help prevent the spread of potato wart, including surveillance, biosecurity and traceability
Potato wart was first detected in Newfoundland and Labrador in 1909 and in Prince Edward Island (PEI) in 2000. In October 2021, the CFIA confirmed the presence of potato wart on 2 large processing potato farms in PEI and the investigations that followed were the largest since 2000. They involved the analysis of almost 50,000 soil samples and led to the detection of potato wart in an additional 4 fields
In November 2021, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada issued a Ministerial Order that restricts the movement of seed, table stock and processing potatoes and other regulated things (farm equipment, soil, etc.) both within and outside of PEI, with some exceptions
The United States stopped imports of all fresh PEI potatoes in November 2021, creating large economic hardship for PEI and this generated extensive media coverage
On April 1, 2022, the U.S. issued a revised Federal Order indicating that imports of PEI potatoes for consumption could resume, when specific conditions are met. Field grown seed potatoes from PEI are prohibited entry to the U.S.
Maintaining public confidence in Canada's potato industry, at home and abroad, is a priority
In Budget 2024, the CFIA received $12 million over 2 years (2024 to 2025 to 2025 to2026) to continue to enhance risk mitigation of potato wart in PEI. Funding helps maintain capacity for critical ongoing activities and supports the development of tools and scientific knowledge to address current gaps in risk mitigation and knowledge

Current status

The National Potato Wart Response Plan was finalised and published online in March 2025. It replaces the Potato Wart Domestic Long-term Management Plan (2009). Phased implementation began with the planting of the 2025 potato crop. The response plan is intended to minimize the impact on Canadian industry and to help contain, control and prevent the spread of this quarantine pest within Canada, or to other countries, through trade
The results of the 2024 National Potato Wart Survey were shared in a news release on March 4, 2025. This survey was implemented to maintain domestic and trading partner confidence

Next steps

The CFIA continues to engage with key national and PEI stakeholders to support smooth transition to the enhanced risk mitigation measures
The CFIA continues to actively engage with the United States Department of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to build confidence in the new response plan and the new activities that enhance potato wart risk mitigation and help contain, control and prevent the spread of potato wart

Lead Branch: Policy and Programs Branch

Spotted lanternfly

Context

Spotted lanternfly (SLF) has been a regulated insect pest in Canada since 2018. If SLF were to enter Canada it would cause significant damage to the Canadian wine and grape industry, which contributes $11.5 billion to the Canadian economy
SLF was first detected in the U.S. in 2014 and has since spread to 18 U.S. states. It was recently detected in Buffalo, New York and Pontiac, Michigan
SLF has not yet been formally detected in Canada. However, there have been reported sightings in the Niagara area (2023) and in the Windsor area (September 2024)
As SLF spends most of its life on trees, nursery stock and logs are considered the highest risk plant pathways for its introduction into Canada. However, vehicles, conveyances, shipping containers, and household goods are also potential pathways. The CFIA is currently focusing resources on the highest risk pathways (nursery stock such as grapevines, shrubs, trees, and deciduous logs with bark such as maple, oak, walnut)
The CFIA anticipates SLF will be detected in Canada in the near future, given the numerous potential pathways of introduction, the distribution of the pest in the U.S., the volume of trade between Canada and the US, and the proximity of this pest to the Canadian border

Current status

The CFIA is:

conducting ongoing domestic surveillance for SLF and is ready to implement a CFIA SLF response plan following a detection
leading a National SLF Technical Advisory Committee comprised of government, industry, and NGOs to slow the introduction and respond when SLF arrives in Canada. This work involves coordinated communications, surveillance, research, response, and treatment options for SLF
consulting on newly proposed import requirements for logs with bark as well as domestic requirements for these same commodities (for example, either importation with a phytosanitary certificate or the implementation of a Canadian spotted lanternfly program through the development of a preventative control plan). Import requirements for nursery stock have been in place since July 2021
increasing SLF awareness and outreach with a focus on the transportation industry
collaborating with provincial agriculture ministries and Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency to increase the number of registered pesticides available
co-leading a CFIA-USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) bilateral SLF working group to share information and management strategies and harmonize approaches, where possible

Next steps

The CFIA is meeting with stakeholders affected by the newly proposed import and domestic requirements
The CFIA is also meeting with those stakeholders and partners who would be most impacted by SLF to confirm CFIA's approach to this pest

Lead Branch: Policy and Programs Branch

African swine fever (ASF) preparedness

Context

African swine fever (ASF) is a serious viral disease of pigs that can cause fever, internal bleeding and high death rates. It is contagious and can spread between pigs through both direct and indirect contact with other infected pigs or pig products. It only affects members of the pig family and is not a food safety risk
ASF has never been found in Canada. Since 2007, ASF has spread rapidly across the globe, including China in 2018. Its first detection in the western hemisphere was in the Dominican Republic in 2021 and it has continued to spread throughout Europe and Asia
ASF is a reportable disease under the Health of Animals Act and any suspected case of ASF must be reported to the CFIA
Canada is the world's 7^th largest pork producer and 4^th largest pork exporter. It is estimated that the Canadian hog sector contributes an estimated $24 billion to the economy and supports roughly 100,000 jobs
Should ASF be detected in Canada, all pork and live-hog exports will immediately halt, and some export markets may remain closed for several months or longer. A closure like this is expected to lead to a significant oversupply of healthy animals with no market and animal welfare concerns could emerge within days of the disruption
If ASF is detected in Canada, the CFIA is responsible for leading efforts to contain and eradicate the disease as quickly as possible and reestablish trade with Canada's trading partners when safe
In August 2022, the Government of Canada announced a 3-year investment of up to $45.3 million to enhance efforts to prevent ASF from entering Canada and prepare for a potential outbreak

Current status

Since 2022, the CFIA has made significant progress with ASF preparedness, including developing an ASF Hazard Specific Plan (HSP), delivering nearly 3 dozen preparedness exercises, scientific breakthroughs, signing trade arrangements with trading partners and running high impact advertising campaigns targeting travellers
All CFIA branches are impacted by ASF preparedness, and the file has a high level of interest from stakeholders including provincial and territorial ministers of agriculture, and multiple national industry associations
Like all foreign animal diseases, effective ASF preparedness and response relies on coordination between multiple FPT-Industry stakeholders. The CFIA, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) are working with provincial and territorial governments and industry associations (for example, Canadian Pork Council and Canadian Meat Council) through an ASF Executive Management Board (EMB). The EMB provides leadership, coordination and strategic direction through the Pan-Canadian Action Plan on African swine fever

Lead Branch: Operations Branch

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)

Context

FMD is a severe, highly communicable viral disease of cattle and swine. It also affects sheep, goats, deer and other cloven-hoofed ruminants but not horses. Many affected animals recover, but the disease leaves them weakened and debilitated. FMD is not readily transmissible to humans and is not a public health risk
Canada is officially recognized as "free of FMD without vaccination", meaning there has been no cases of FMD in the country within the past 12 months and that preventative FMD vaccination is not practised. This animal health status allows Canada to have access to markets worldwide
If FMD was found in Canada, the export of live animals, meat, dairy and meat products manufactured from susceptible species (mostly beef and pork) would be halted, and it could take over a year and a half to regain access to foreign markets, resulting in potential devastating animal welfare consequences and major economic implications estimated to be between $22.6 to $75.8 billion
Budget 2023 announced $57.5 million over 5 years, starting in 2023-2024, with $5.6 million ongoing, to the CFIA to establish a FMD vaccine bank for Canada and to develop FMD response plans

Vaccine bank

The FMD vaccine bank for Canada will build on the limited supply of vaccines available through the North American FMD vaccine bank which has been co-owned and managed with the U.S. since 1982, as well as through sharing arrangements with Australia, New Zealand (N.Z.) and the United Kingdom
A FMD vaccine bank for Canada would serve as a strategic reserve of frozen concentrate of the active ingredient in a vaccine, known as an antigen, that can be quickly formulated into a ready to use vaccine in the event of an outbreak
Canada would only vaccinate in the event of an outbreak. The objective of FMD emergency vaccination is to reduce the opportunities for disease spread to surrounding herds when depopulation cannot be done quickly enough
Emergency vaccination is an effective tool in CFIA's response strategy to eradicate exotic diseases in the event of an outbreak, to re-establish disease-free status as quickly as possible, which facilitates resumption of trade

Current status

The CFIA monitors the status of FMD worldwide. Strict measures are in place including controls on imports and traveller declarations, which have been recently updated to include enhanced import controls for Germany and Hungary
Canada has plans in place to rapidly and effectively control and eradicate FMD should it enter the country. The current strategy is designed to quickly identify all exposed premises, cull exposed and potentially exposed high-risk animals and decontaminate the environment to avoid further spread

Cost-sharing arrangement

The CFIA is establishing a FMD vaccine bank for Canada. The agency is in ongoing discussions with provinces and territories (PTs) on a cost-sharing arrangement to support Canada's FMD vaccine bank and response plans

Vaccines

A request for proposal to supply vaccine products to Canada as part of a FMD vaccine bank was posted on CanadaBuys in January 2025 and closed on February 21, 2025. The CFIA is targeting a contract award for spring 2025

FMD preparedness

Canada is currently in the process of updating its FMD emergency response plans to incorporate recent amendments to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Animal Health Terrestrial Code
Through the coordination of Animal Health Canada, the CFIA is working with industry and provinces and territories to develop an FMD Integrated Emergency Response Plan
Canada engaged in the past year with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to discuss common approaches to elements of FMD response such as disposal issues on large feedlots. Initial discussions have also been held on bilateral FMD zoning recognition with New Zealand and Japan

Next steps

Continue work with provinces, territories, industry stakeholders, and international partners to establish a FMD vaccine bank for Canada, and to develop or update FMD response plans

Lead Branch: Policy and Programs Branch

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) – Harmonization of Canada's enhanced feed ban with the U.S.

Context

In May 2021, Canada obtained negligible risk status for BSE from the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), based on the BSE control program that is currently in place
Specific animal tissues known as specified risk material (SRM), such as brain and spinal cord, harbour the infective agent which causes BSE when consumed
Although both the U.S. and Canada require the full list of SRM to be removed from the human food chain, Canada requires this same full list of tissues to be removed from animal feed. The U.S. requires a much shorter list of tissues known as "cattle material prohibited from animal feed" removed from animal feed
The cattle and beef processing sectors believe the current enhanced feed ban in Canada puts them at a competitive disadvantage compared to their U.S. counterparts. They have requested that the CFIA review the enhanced feed ban for the purposes of harmonization with the U.S.'s feed ban
SRM and the enhanced feed ban are regulated under 5 separate regulations: Health of Animals Regulations, Feed Regulations, Fertilizers Regulations, Food and Drug Regulations and the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations

Current status

The agency is currently undertaking a review of the risk assessment as well as the peer review feedback by international experts
The CFIA and industry continue to work jointly to further develop policy options and design a path forward towards reaching the desired end goal

Lead Branch: Policy and Programs Branch

Legislative review of the Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA)

Context

The SFCA requires a review of the provisions and operations of the act, including an assessment of the resources allocated to its administration and enforcement, every 5 years after its coming into force on January 15, 2019. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is carrying out the review
As part of this process, the CFIA solicited feedback from stakeholders with 2 rounds of engagement. The first was a targeted survey sent in November 2023 and the second used the same questions within a 60-day public consultation held March 27 to May 27, 2024. The goal was to help determine if legislative objectives of the SFCA are being met, which include:
- improving food safety and consumer protection oversight across all food commodities
- having effective, streamlined and strengthened legislative authorities across food commodities
- enhancing market access opportunities for Canadian industry
Stakeholders did not raise any significant concerns regarding the act's authority or the CFIA's overall ability to deliver on the act's intended purposes. Several themes emerged:
- dedicating more resources for the agency to administer the act, such as verifying that domestic and imported foods meet safety and labelling requirements and ensuring labels do not misrepresent food
- improving the quality and consistency of inspection and communications to regulated parties through enhanced guidance and training for inspectors
- providing more technical support to industry for online tools and services (for example, My CFIA, Ask CFIA)
- continuing to be more agile to respond to technological innovation and emergencies

Current status

The CFIA intends to publish a What We Heard Report (WWHR) from the consultation on the review of the SFCA in spring 2025 (exact date to be confirmed)
The CFIA is preparing communications material to support publication of the WWHR

Next steps

The CFIA will continue its internal review of the act before submitting a final report to Parliament scheduled for late 2025/early 2026 publication (exact date to be confirmed), but that date may change based on the Parliamentary calendar

Lead Branch: Policy and Programs Branch

Ministerial transition materials (2025)

On this page

Organizational context

Legislative mandate

CFIA acts and regulations

CFIA within the health and agriculture portfolios

Minister of Health

Responsibilities

Legislative authorities

Food safety

Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Responsibilities

Legislative authorities

Plants

Animals

Standards of identity for food

Role of the Minister of Health

General responsibilities

Authority over food safety and regulation-making

Delegation of powers

Role of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

General responsibilities

Policy and regulatory responsibilities

Delegation of powers

Role of the President of the CFIA

CFIA separate employer status

What the agency does

Core roles and responsibilities

Responsibilities

Roles

Food safety

Safeguarding Canada's food supply

Minimizing health and safety risks to Canadians

Contributing to consumer protection

International trade

Facilitating trade

Supporting market access for Canadian agriculture and agri-food

Animal health

Protecting Canada's animal resources and public health of Canadians

Minimizing risks to Canada's terrestrial and aquatic animal resources, and ensuring the safety of animal feeds, products and vaccines

Plant health

Protecting Canada's plant resources

Protecting plant life and the agricultural and forestry sectors of the Canadian economy

Regional distribution (as of December 31, 2024)

Atlantic Area

Quebec Area

NCR Area

Ontario Area

Western Area

Tenure

CFIA budget

How the agency does it

CFIA mandate delivery

Strategic direction

Mandate implementation

Enablers

CFIA organizational structure

Senior Executives

Delivery of CFIA mandate

Shared services with AAFC

Corporate Services

Corporate Services and delivery of CFIA mandate

Strategic vision

Pillars

Visions

Stakeholder and partner engagement

Federal departments and agencies

Provincial-Territorial-Municipal governments

International partners

Industry

Consumers

CFIA partnerships within the federal government

CFIA food recall process

1. Trigger

2. Food safety investigation

3. Risk assessment

4. Recall process

5. Follow-up

Pre-market approvals

Examples of CFIA's role and responsibilities