DPR 2004-2005
Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Part 1: Overview

1.1 Minister’s message

I am pleased to submit to Parliament the Performance Report for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), covering the period from April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005.

In May 2005, the CFIA received approval from the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) to consolidate the CFIA Annual Report with the Performance Report (Order in Council 05-929).  Since information contained in the Annual Report will now be included in the Performance Report, there will be no loss of disclosure to Parliament.

This was a period of both challenges and achievements for the Agency as it carried out its mandate to safeguard Canada’s food supply, protect the health of Canada’s livestock, and protect Canada’s crop and forest resources.

Among these challenges was the discovery of two new cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Canada. However, due to widespread confidence in the CFIA’s advanced control measures, Canada has regained full or partial access to 17 international markets for live animals and meat since the first domestic case was discovered in 2003.In July of 2005, the U.S. market opened to live cattle. Other challenges included attempts to control the Emerald Ash Borer and significant measures to arrest the spread of other invasive insects such as the Asian Long-horned Beetle.

Throughout this period, Canadians have remained confident in the food safety system and the animal health and plant protection measures that support it. This is due, in large part, to the thoroughness and effectiveness of the CFIA's response to these issues, and the openness and transparency with which it explained its processes and procedures.

At the same time, the Agency has also maintained an effective regulatory system, based upon partnerships with other federal departments and agencies, provincial and territorial governments, producers, processors and distributors of food, health professionals, and consumers. These partnerships create a strong system of regulatory governance — a system supported by the CFIA's capacity for inspection and enforcement.

Canada has a global reputation for safe and high-quality food and agricultural products. To a large degree, that reputation has been founded upon sound science and effective regulatory oversight. The CFIA endeavours to protect the health of Canadians and to safeguard our agricultural and forestry resources. The Agency's capacity to meet challenges in this context has been tested and proven.

All Canadians benefit from the services the Agency provides. As the Minister responsible for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, I am committed to building upon the CFIA's solid reputation as Canada's science-based regulator of food, animals and plants.

The Honourable Andy Mitchell, PC, MP
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

1.2 President’s Message

As the incoming President, I am pleased to present the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's Departmental Performance Report covering the period of April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005.

This past year has been one of significant challenges and successes for the CFIA. With an increase in demand for the Agency's services, the CFIA remains steadfast in fulfilling its mandate of safeguarding Canada's food supply, as well as that of the plants and animals on which safe and high-quality food depends

Food safety is and continues to be the Agency's top priority.  Based on this principle, the CFIA has been successful in its work with the food industry to improve and maintain compliance in areas regulated by the Agency.

The CFIA continued its efforts to limit the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) by increasing surveillance and testing of high-risk cattle. Subsequently, the CFIA surpassed its targets for surveillance testing.  As well, a number of countries have reviewed Canada’s BSE status and determined it to be equivalent to the minimum risk standard established by the World Organisation for Animal Health.

The Agency has also taken measures to update a number of regulations to improve its effectiveness and efficiency in line with the Government of Canada's Smart Regulation Strategy. The CFIA continues to work co-operatively with other federal and provincial departments and agencies, producers, processors and distributors of food, health professionals, consumers and international partners. Through these partnerships, the Agency resolved a number of bilateral and multilateral issues.

Based on its surveillance and control programs for preventing the entry and spread of plant and animal diseases, the CFIA found no evidence of any new diseases entering into Canada.  The Agency was also effective in controlling the spread of most established diseases and pests.

With respect to emergency preparedness, the CFIA continued its work on a number of special initiatives and ongoing activities in order to maintain and improve its capacity to respond quickly and effectively should an emergency arise.  During the year, the CFIA examined how it managed the avian influenza emergency of 2003-04, learning valuable lessons that will help the Agency prepare for emergencies in the future.

The CFIA can be proud of the work it has accomplished in this period of time, and I look forward to leading the Agency's dedicated, competent and professional team in serving the people of Canada.

François Guimont
President

1.3 Agency Overview

The CFIA ’s Mandate
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency ( CFIA ) is mandated to safeguard Canada's food supply and the plants and animals upon which safe, high-quality food depends.

In carrying out this mandate, the CFIA is committed to serving Canadians by providing protection from preventable health risks, delivering a fair and effective regulatory regime, sustaining the plant and animal resource base, promoting the security of Canada's food supply and agricultural and forestry resource base, and managing the Agency effectively.

The CFIA is Canada’s largest science-based regulatory agency. The Agency regularly relies on input and advice from its own and other scientific experts when developing, reviewing and improving regulations, international standards, and policies and programs for inspecting, testing and responding to emergencies.

The CFIA is responsible for administering or enforcing 13 federal Acts and their regulations. Through inspections and other related services– including product and processing plant inspections, export certification and import controls– the Agency develops policies for agricultural inputs, and animal and plant health; and it verifies and enforces compliance with all 13 pieces of legislation. The CFIA ’s regulatory powers extend to agriculture, agri-food, fish, seafood, horticulture and forestry. The Agency either inspects or certifies products ranging from agricultural inputs (such as seeds, feeds and fertilizers) to animals, plants and foods. Foods include meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, fruit and vegetables, along with processed and packaged foods.

The CFIA works in close partnership with other organizations. All share responsibility for setting or enforcing standards that support the integrity of Canada’s systems for protecting food safety, animal health and plants. More specifically, its partners include provincial, territorial, and municipal authorities, and other federal government departments. For example, in the area of food safety, Health Canada and the CFIA share unique and complementary roles and responsibilities. The Minister of Health is responsible for establishing policies and standards relating to the safety and nutritional quality of food sold in Canada and for assessing the effectiveness of the Agency’s activities related to food safety.  The CFIA is responsible for all food inspection, compliance and enforcement activities. It is also responsible for developing regulations and policies related to food labelling and standards for foods.

The CFIA also works closely with the industries that it regulates, and with associations representing consumers, public health, animal welfare and environmental interests, among others. Finally, the Agency leads or participates in a number of international agreements and international standard-setting organizations, and arrangements in support of Canada’s regulatory objectives.

Supporting government priorities
In carrying out its mandate, the CFIA has established five strategic goals, which are outlined in the Agency’s Corporate Business Plan 2003-08 . Table 1.1 shows how each goal directly contributes to achieving specific government priorities.

The CFIA ’s Senior Executive Structure
The CFIA is headed by a President, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Agency. He supervises and directs Agency work and staff.  The President reports to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada ( AAFC ).  An Executive Vice-President supports the President in his role.

There are two Vice Presidents (VPs), who are responsible for the delivery of the Agency’s programs.

• The VP Science Branch supports the CFIA ’s business objectives through laboratory science, risk assessments, technology development and research.
• The VP Operations is responsible for administering and enforcing the Agency’s various Acts and regulations. 

Three other VPs, five Executive Directors and a Chief Veterinary Officer provide policy and corporate support for the delivery of the Agency’s mandate.  They cover functions such as policy development and program design, human resources, corporate services, legal services, emergency preparedness, parliamentary and regulatory coordination, international affairs, corporate planning, reporting and accountability, and public affairs.

The CFIA ’s Workforce
Approximately 5,900 dedicated, highly-trained professionals work for the Agency across Canada in a wide range of scientific, technical, operational and administrative positions.  The Agency’s staff are involved in risk assessment, risk management, policy development, analytical testing and international discussions and negotiations. They are also involved in certification, inspecting establishments and products, sampling, monitoring and verification, surveillance, warnings, detentions, seizures, recalls, and other related compliance activities. The CFIA ’s staff are its front line when responding to emergencies that fall within the mandate of the Agency– for example, outbreaks of avian influenza ( AI ) and bovine spongiform encephalopathy ( BSE ).

With its headquarters in the National Capital Region ( NCR ), the CFIA is organized into the four operational areas (Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario and Western) and 18 regional offices shown on the map below.  It also operates 151 field offices and manages 14 laboratories and research facilities. The Agency also has staff doing this work in seven facilities managed by other government departments in which staff provide scientific advice and testing services, develop new technologies and conduct research.

Click on image to enlarge

1.4 Key strategic challenges and risks

The Agency’s capacity to achieve its strategic outcomes depends greatly on its ability to recognize, manage and mitigate risks.  The CFIA ’s planning process identified key risks and challenges and set out a plan which was presented to Parliament in its Report on Plans and Priorities ( RPP ) 2004-05 .  This performance report is based on the 2004-05 RPP .  It presents the Agency’s performance relative to key risks.  Performance is discussed by Strategic Outcome.  For each outcome, the key risks are identified.  A summary of the key risks and the steps taken to mitigate them is presented in the table below.

1.5 Summary Information

The information below provides a snapshot of the Agency’s financial resources and spending in 2004-05.  This information was extracted from CFIA ’s financial systems.