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Highlights Canadian Food Inspection Agency Corporate Business Plan 2003-2008

Introduction

Created in 1997 by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is mandated to safeguard Canada's food supply and the plants and animals upon which safe and high-quality food depends. With more than 5,300 dedicated professionals working across Canada, the CFIA is committed to serving Canadians by protecting public health, contributing to economic growth, protecting Canada's environment, contributing to public security and providing sound agency management. Accordingly, the CFIA is the Government of Canada's key science-based regulator for food safety*, animal health and plant protection. In delivering this mandate, the CFIA is responsible for the administration and/or enforcement of 13 federal acts and their respective regulations. The sectors regulated by the CFIA include agriculture, agri-food, fish, seafood, plant nursery and forestry. Those who benefit from the Agency's services include farmers, fishers, foresters, processors, distributors (importers and exporters) and--ultimately--all Canadian consumers. Key to the CFIA's success are three interrelated and integral factors--sound science, the delivery of effective inspection services and the fostering of strong partnerships. In an international context, the CFIA strives to ensure that the international regulatory framework, as it relates to the Agency's mandate, is strong, coherent and science-based. *In partnership with Health Canada

The CFIA has dealt with many significant challenges in the past several years and will deal with many challenges in the years to come. Chief among the challenges we expect are an increasing demand for the Agency's services; the need to renew our workforce and enhance our scientific capacity; and the need to tighten security and prepare for emergencies.

The Corporate Business Plan for 2003­08 sets out our response to these challenges with five strategic goals:

• Protecting Canadians 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
• Providing sound agency management

For the next five years, CFIA personnel will be working to achieve these goals, all of which support important priorities of the Government of Canada.

Strategic Goals

In addition to many new initiatives, the CFIA's plan for the next five years includes the continuation or enhancement of several activities and programs that are already underway. With a solid foundation of achievement in promoting its strategic goals, the Agency will build on its success in all of these areas.

Protecting public health

The CFIA contributes to the health of Canadians through programs and activities designed to identify and manage food safety risk, respond to food safety emergencies, carry out emergency food recalls and prevent the spread of animal diseases to humans. The CFIA also provides Canadians with food safety tips and guidance on how to safely handle, cook and store foods, which help contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

We will protect Canadians from preventable health risks by:

• Managing food safety risks
• Protecting people from animal-borne diseases
• Strengthening partnerships in areas of shared responsibility
• Building consumer awareness

Contributing to economic growth

The CFIA contributes to a sound economy by providing an effective regulatory regime for food, animals and plants. The integrity of the CFIA's regulatory programs, inspection and certification activities promotes consumer and market confidence in the safety and quality of Canadian agricultural, forestry, fish, seafood and agri-food products. It also underpins the two-way movement of goods across our borders. We will deliver a fair and effective regulatory regime by: Regulating food, animals and plants Promoting smart regulation Ensuring regulatory consistency Protecting consumers from unfair practices Representing Canada on global issues Promoting sound science

Protecting Canada's environment

The CFIA's programs contribute to a healthy environment and promote Canadian biodiversity by controlling invasive species, regulating agricultural products and by protecting Canada's animal resources, crops and forests from regulated pests and diseases.

We will sustain the plant and animal resource base by:

• Contributing to environmental protection
• Controlling plant pest outbreaks
• Preventing diseases in livestock
• Conserving Canadian biodiversity
• Assessing agricultural products

Contributing to public security

The CFIA's scientific expertise, extensive laboratory network and inspection capacity allow it to act rapidly and effectively in the event of a threat to public safety or agri-food security. In addition, the CFIA's ongoing surveillance and emergency planning activities allow it to anticipate and prepare for potential problems before they occur.

We will promote the security of Canada's food supply through:

• Enhanced surveillance and early detection
• Enhanced laboratory readiness
• Emergency preparedness
• Strengthened border controls
• Integrated security partnerships

Providing sound agency management

The CFIA promotes good governance through effective service delivery, responsible spending, an enabling work environment and well-managed administration.

We will provide sound agency management through:

• Responsible spending
• Improved planning and accountability
• Sound financial management
• Effective human resources management
• Efficient information management
• Open communication

The CFIA's Corporate Business Plan 2003­2008 was developed with input provided by Agency employees, industry and consumer stakeholders, and our federal, provincial and territorial partners.

For more information, please visit our Web site at www.inspection.gc.ca

For a copy of the CFIA's Corporate Business Plan 2003­08 please contact:

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency
59 Camelot Drive, Ottawa ON K1A 0Y9
(613) 225-2342

Cat. No. A104-18/2003-1
ISBN 0-662-67394-8
P0299-03