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About the CFIA > Reporting to Parliament > Report on Plans and Priorities > Report on Plans and Priorities 1999 - 2000 1999-2000 A Report on Plans and Priorities Approved Table of Contents
Section III: Plans, Priorities, Strategies and Expected Results
Section IV: Supplementary Information
Additional Financial Information
Canadians benefit from one of the safest and highest quality food supplies in the world. The CFIA maintains this reputation by continually improving and enhancing Canada’s approaches to food inspection. The CFIA remains committed to science, to dealing with the continuum of food production from primary production to the retail level and to managing horizontal issues across commodity lines. Maintaining the integrity of the food, animal and plant health system is a complex task which the CFIA addresses in partnership with other federal departments, provincial/territorial governments, industry and consumers. The CFIA is working with its partners towards a common legislative base, more integrated inspection services, national standards and voluntary codes of practice. The Agency will continue to use the flexibilities provided in the CFIA ACT to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Agency services. Microbial food borne illness, commonly known as food poisoning, is the largest class of emerging infectious diseases in Canada. Research shows that improper food handling in the home causes a major proportion of food borne illnesses. Yet, a 1998 CFIA study on safe food handling found that consumers are often unaware or misinformed about how they can protect themselves from harmful food borne bacteria. The Agency is a member of a unique coalition of 48 of Canada's major stakeholders in the food industries, consumer and health groups, and government responsible for launching a national public awareness campaign on food safety in the home kitchen. Through the Fight BAC! TM campaign, the Canadian Partnership for Consumer Food Safety Education is seeking to motivate Canadians to play an active role in helping fight harmful bacteria when preparing food in their homes. The international respect Canada has for its food and animal and plant health inspection system opens many trade doors simply not available to our international competitors. Canadian jobs depend on trade, and the CFIA will continue to facilitate international market access for Canadian products. The Agency will continue to participate in and influence the development of international standards and trade requirements to support exporters of Canadian food and animal and plant products. The CFIA is committed to further strengthening the inspection system that provides Canadians with safe food and some of the best animal and plant products in the world. To achieve the planning and reporting requirements set out in the CFIA Act, the Agency is implementing its performance management framework which will allow the Agency to demonstrate its performance in meeting its objectives.
In addition to the information contained in this document, the CFIA Corporate Business Plan and Annual Report provide further information on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. For the web site or phone number to obtain these documents see the reference section on page 36.
A. Mandate, Roles and Responsibilities CFIA Mandate Canada’s food and animal and plant health inspection system is internationally respected and ranked among the best in the world. The CFIA has the mandate to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of federal inspection and related services for food and animal and plant health. Mission and Objectives In order to fulfil its mission – "Safe Food, Market Access and Consumer Protection", the CFIA has adopted the following objectives: to contribute to a safe food supply and accurate product information, to contribute to the continuing health of animals and plants for protection of the resource base, to facilitate trade in food, animals, plants and their products. Legislative Authority The CFIA is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the following acts: Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act, Canada Agricultural Products Act, Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act, Feeds Act, Fertilizers Act, Fish Inspection Act, Health of Animals Act, Meat Inspection Act, Plant Breeders’ Rights Act, Plant Protection Act, and Seeds Act. In addition, the Agency is responsible for enforcement of the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and the Food and Drugs Act as they relate to food, and the administration of the provisions of the Food and Drugs Act as they relate to food, except those provisions that relate to public health, safety or nutrition. The Minister of Health remains responsible for establishing policies and standards for the safety and nutritional quality of food sold in Canada and assessing the effectiveness of the Agency’s activities related to food safety. The CFIA has undertaken a comprehensive review of the legislation it administers and/or enforces, with the objective of modernizing and consolidating this legislation.
Inspection Programs for Food and Food Products
The focus of the CFIA food inspection program is to verify that manufacturers, importers and distributors, regulated by the CFIA, meet federal standards for safety, quality, quantity, composition, handling, identity, processing, packaging and labelling. In the case of exported food, manufacturers may be required to meet the additional requirements of the importing country. In these cases, the CFIA program verifies that these additional requirements are also met. This regulatory function is carried out through the registration and inspection of establishments for interprovincial and international trade, and the inspection and grade-monitoring of products in registered and non-registered processing establishments, at importers’ premises and in retail establishments. Working with Health Canada, other governments and regulated industries, CFIA manages food recalls and other related enforcement actions. Inspection Programs for Animal and Plant Health
The animal and plant health programs contribute to the protection of Canada’s animal and plant resource base against the introduction and spread of regulated pests and diseases of significance to the economy, the environment or human health. The humane transportation of animals is also regulated by the CFIA Animal Health Program. Import activities are aimed at preventing exotic diseases and pests from becoming established in Canada. This is done through the inspection, testing and certification of horticultural, livestock, forestry, biological and other food commodities before their release into Canada. These activities are conducted at border points, seaports, airports and quarantine facilities and in the country of origin. The programs also maintain international disease intelligence activities, negotiate import health requirements with exporting countries, and conduct regional and national emergency simulation exercises. The plant health program conducts environmental assessments for release of plants, feed and microbial products derived through biotechnology. It also verifies that livestock feeds and commercial fertilizers and supplements used in Canada are safe and effective and are packaged and labelled according to established standards. The program includes seed certification and the registration of varieties of field crops and also provides a form of patent by granting Plant Breeders’ Rights for varieties of agricultural and horticultural crops. Market Access
The CFIA has an important mandate to negotiate technical requirements for the international movement of food, animal and plant products and the harmonization of national standards. The Agency leads and/or provides technical assistance, as appropriate, for trade negotiations and committees and provides support for dispute settlement panels. Increasingly, trade negotiations are shifting from bilateral to multilateral fora. Agency trade specialists work with their partners in Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Health Canada and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to advance issues of common interest. The Agency is actively involved with international organizations for the purpose of maintaining and expanding international market access and protecting Canada's interests by reducing non-tariff trade barriers, influencing the development of international standards and encouraging the adoption of science-based sanitary and phytosanitary requirements. The CFIA participates in multilateral organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), Codex Alimentarius, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO), the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Office International des Épizooties (OIE).
Organizational Structure The CFIA is led by a President who reports to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. The President is supported by an Executive Vice-President. Figure 1 outlines the current division of responsibilities within the CFIA.
Minister’s Advisory Board A 12-member advisory board provides direct advice to the Minister on broad policy issues relating to the responsibilities of the CFIA. Board members are chosen for their knowledge and experience in areas directly related to the mandate of the Agency. The Advisory Board is supported by a Secretariat located at CFIA headquarters. The CFIA Workforce The CFIA is committed to delivering services in the most effective and efficient manner possible. The Agency is headquartered in the National Capital Region, and delivers programs in all of Canada’s provinces and territories through four area operations centres – Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario and Western. 4,354 Agency staff are located in 18 regional offices, 185 field offices, such as border points of entry, 408 third-party premises, such as slaughter establishments and 22 laboratories and research facilities. In April 1998, the CFIA adopted an organizational structure that maintains our commitment to science, deals with the continuum of food production from primary production to the retail level and manages horizontal issues that cut across commodity lines. Laboratory and analytical activities The CFIA provides a range of laboratory services, across Canada, including technology development. Microbiology centres assess the microbiological safety of foods and respond to consumer complaints and illness. Food centres provide accurate and timely analytical services related to foods, feeds, fertilizers and seeds. Animal and plant health centres provide expertise in the areas of diagnostic testing standards, technology development and transfer, laboratory accreditation, scientific advice, and analytical capability for animal diseases and plant pests. Fish inspection laboratories provide a range of services, which include technical expertise to support the development and operation of Quality Management Programs carried out by industry. They also carry out chemical, microbiological and physical analyses on fish and fish products. Our Clients
Our clients include all Canadian stakeholders in the food continuum – consumers, farmers, fishers, manufacturers of food products and agricultural inputs, related suppliers, importers and exporters, brokers, distributors, retailers, stakeholders in the lumber industry, and the associations representing any of these client groups.
The CFIA provides inspection and related services for animals and plants and their products, ranging from inputs such as veterinary biologics, to lumber and nursery products, to medicated feeds and seeds, to fresh foods, including meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, fruit and vegetables, as well as prepared and packaged foods. Our Approach to Business Integrated Inspection System (IIS)
The CFIA is developing an Integrated Inspection System (IIS) to improve the effectiveness and the efficiency of federal food inspection systems. This will be achieved by harmonizing CFIA Inspection Programs and by working with the industry to integrate the inspection system along the Food Continuum. By developing strategic alliances and partnerships with other governments and industry players, the CFIA and its partners will:
This will create a seamless system of controls and inspection activities. The IIS will assist to define the partnerships between government and industry. The CFIA believes that a knowledgeable and diligent industry is the most effective defence in the prevention of non-compliant food products. Controls will be proactive and preventive and the philosophy will shift from "see a problem - fix it" to "see a cause - prevent it." Government will maintain a strong role through inspection and verification. Consultation The Agency firmly believes that consultation is one of the most effective ways of identifying and managing issues and concerns, of staying on top of the latest trends in the industry and of better understanding clients’ needs and concerns. The Agency holds ongoing consultations with a broad range of clients, including consumers, industry, the provinces and territories, interest groups, unions and staff. Partnerships Food safety is a shared responsibility. Maintaining the integrity of the food, animal and plant health system is a complex task which the CFIA addresses in partnership with provincial/territorial governments, industry and consumers, as well as other federal departments.
One such partnership is the Canadian Partnership for Consumer Food Safety Education, of which the Agency is a member. This unique coalition of 48 of Canada's major stakeholders in the food industries, consumer and health groups and government, is responsible for launching a national public awareness campaign on food safety in the home kitchen. Through the Fight BAC! TM campaign, launched in November 1998, the Canadian Partnership for Consumer Food Safety Education will seek to motivate Canadians to fight harmful bacteria by practicing critical safety steps when preparing food in their homes. Intergovernmental Cooperation The CFIA continues to build partnerships with provincial/territorial governments. The Agency establishes cross-designation of inspectors, develops and enters into agreements to provide integrated inspection services, and explores opportunities to form federal-provincial corporations. The Agency is also a member of the Canadian Food Inspection System Implementation Group (CFISIG), an interdepartmental/intergovernmental committee established to advance a common goal – a fully integrated inspection system. Other members include representatives of agriculture, health and fisheries departments, from federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments. Governments have recognized the value of working together, through the CFISIG, to develop common legislative and inspection approaches to food safety. The CFISIG has achieved considerable progress and is building government/client partnerships to propose national standards and voluntary codes of practice. External Environment The world of food and animal and plant health inspection is constantly evolving. Imports and exports are rising in horticultural, livestock, fish, forestry, biological and other food commodities. New diseases, new demands for services and regulatory actions, new inspection technologies, new trade requirements, and changing consumer trends are driving an ongoing evolution in Canada’s inspection system. Consumers are increasingly aware of food safety and nutritional issues. At the same time, international travel and better global communications can increase the public’s anxiety over health related issues. For the Agency, this means it must be able to identify and respond to food safety concerns from around the globe. The inspection and quarantine services of the CFIA have a significant impact on the competitive position of Canadian products in the world market. The Agency’s role is to ensure that Canada has an inspection and regulatory system that provides for both ease of access and a competitive advantage in foreign markets. The CFIA will need to remain in the forefront of the global evolution to new inspection methodologies. An important element of this evolution is the shift from traditional, end-product government inspection to one that is focussed on the verification and monitoring of industry control systems. The CFIA will continue to support proactive industry initiatives which will improve food production and processing systems. Global trade agreements also continue to affect the Canadian industry. Issues such as the appropriate level of protection and equivalency are the focus of current discussions within the World Trade Organization (WTO) framework. Agreements reached within WTO-sanctioned international negotiating forums — such as Codex Alimentarius (Codex), Office International des Epizooties (OIE), and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) — will continue to have an impact on standards development and program delivery in Canada. Constantly evolving requirements of trading partners also require adjustments on the part of Canadian industry and government. One of the greatest opportunities available to Canada’s inspection system remains integration among levels of governments. The creation of the Agency has consolidated food inspection responsibilities at the federal level. However, with more than 30 different government departments and agencies (federal, provincial, municipal), administering nearly 80 pieces of food inspection related legislation, governments at all levels must continue to work cooperatively to further reduce the risks that may remain at the various points in the producer-to-consumer food system. To help streamline and enhance the system, the Agency is currently negotiating a number of federal-provincial agreements in areas of inspection such as meat, dairy, eggs, honey and retail food. The Agency will also have to consider a number of new and emerging issues. Food labelling, for example, is an issue that continues to receive more and more attention, since it touches on many social, cultural, economic-fraud and trade concerns. The Agency will continue to work with its federal partners, Health Canada and Industry Canada, to resolve these labelling issues in a way that both meets the needs of Canadian consumers and is consistent with international requirements. New types of food products and increased concerns about food allergens are also presenting labelling challenges. In addition, the Agency must respond to the opportunities emerging around new technologies, including biotechnology. As a result of increased consumer awareness, consumers are now demanding more information on food-related matters. As demographics shift, consumers become more diverse and their habits continue to evolve (e.g., spending more of their food dollars in restaurants), but their expectations continue to be that governments will ensure their supply of food is safe, nutritious, and of good quality. The Agency will continue to work with its government and industry partners to address these expectations. Internal Environment The creation of the Agency, as an alternative service-delivery agency, was undertaken as part of a larger effort to find new ways of doing business or "getting government right." The aim was to give the Agency greater autonomy in providing services that are both more responsive to client needs and more cost effective. The advantages for government of establishing a single agency responsible for inspection and quarantine services include:
The Agency has a number of flexibilities in the CFIA Act designed to help reduce overlap and duplication among levels of government, improve federal–provincial cooperation, improve service delivery, and contribute to a more efficient and effective system. For example, with regard to financial flexibilities, the Agency has the authority and is preparing to implement systems using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. This will enable it to provide better financial information for use by management. The Agency also has at its disposal a range of other flexibilities, for example, the authority to accredit laboratories, sell patents, license inspection processes for use by industry, provide specialized training, to name a few. The Agency, as a Separate Employer outside of the Public Service Employment Act, has put in place a series of human resources policies, programs and services forming the cornerstone of the organization’s human resource infrastructure. It will now focus on the implementation and monitoring phases while continuing to adjust and improve its policies, programs and services. As part of the Organizations Performance Management Framework, the Agency identified human resources indicators that will serve as the base for reviewing and adjusting its progress. Human Resource Plan CFIA is building an integrated and flexible Human Resources (HR) framework to carry out its new HR responsibilities as a separate employer. This framework supports the evolution of the inspection system and provides managers with the services, programs and policies to effectively and efficiently address the Agency’s priorities and objectives. In partnership with managers and employees, CFIA will now concentrate on the implementation and monitoring phases of its human resources activities. To accomplish this, focus will be on CFIA’s core values as set out in its Corporate Business Plan. CFIA values and principles are the building blocks upon which employees and managers can strengthen their common understanding of the organization’s objectives, and together successfully undertake change. In addition, the Agency will continue to adhere to its obligations under the Employment Equity Legislation and the Official Languages Act. It will continue to consult with employees, unions and other stakeholders about proposed changes and their impact, and will seek input to develop and implement new ways of doing business. To ensure that its human resource services are client focused fully aligned with both the Agency’s business objectives and HR Strategy, CFIA is:
Finally, to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of CFIA’s HR framework, performance indicators have been developed to allow the organization to measure two key HR outcomes identified in the Corporate Business Plan. These outcomes are:
Notes: (1) 1998-99 Forecast Spending includes Supplementary Estimates of $40.5 million. (2) Includes approvals not briefed in reference levels.
Section III: Plans, Priorities, Strategies and Expected Results A. Summary Of Priorities And Expected Results
CFIA is implementing its performance management framework. This planning and reporting system provides a rational approach to understanding the linkages between program activities and expected results. The framework supports the planning and reporting (accountability) structure described in the CFIA Act - objectives and strategies to achieve these objectives, the CFIA partners involved and the expected performance to be achieved over the planning period (1997-2000). While the CFIA Corporate Business Plan presents the overall performance management framework for the Agency, considerable effort is required to develop the planning and reporting systems for the various programs and operational levels within the Agency. Each program and operational area (e.g., the meat inspection program), has developed performance goals and measurement requirements. Information systems are being developed to collect and report on the performance goals. The systems will be implemented over a two- to three-year period. This length of time is needed to accommodate the Year 2000 requirement. As these information systems are developed and implemented, better performance information will be available to support the Agency’s performance reporting requirements. A more detailed description of priorities, strategies and expected results can be found in Section B - Program and Business Line Plan.
B. Program And Business Line Plans
1 The priorities and strategies in this table are from the Agency’s Corporate Business Plan 1997-2000. 2 The ongoing outcomes represent the expected performance for the Agency’s core activities. These core activities are in turn linked to the Agency’s corporate objectives.
The priorities, strategies, and expected results found in this table are based on the Performance Management Framework described in the CFIA Corporate Business Plan for the period 1997-2000. Based on the recent reorganization of the CFIA along the plant and animal continuum, the Performance Management Framework will be reviewed to determine if modifications are required.
Chart on Legislative and Regulatory Initiatives
Sustainable Development Strategies
Chart on Year 2000 Initiatives The overall objective of the Year 2000 Readiness initiative is to provide a management accountability structure and action plan to reduce CFIA exposures and liabilities relating to the potential Year 2000 date problem, in a fiscally responsible manner.
Section IV: Supplementary Information Table 1: Spending Authorities - Ministry Summary, Part II of the Estimates
Note: This table displays Main Estimates figures for both 1998-99 and 1999-2000. The Financial Spending Plan on page 15 displays Forecast Spending for 1998-99 which includes Supplementary Estimates ($40.5 million) and Planned Spending for 1999-2000 which includes approvals not briefed in reference levels.
Table 2.1: Organization Structure and Display of Planned Spending by Program and Business Line Organization and Program Composition
Planned Spending by Program and Business Line for 1999-2000
Table 2.2: Planned Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) by Program and Business Line
Table 3.1: Capital Spending by Program and Business Line
(1) Capital spending was curtailed in 1998-99 so that priorities for future years could be addressed. These priorities include consolidation of CFIA staff within major centres; completion of a laboratory services review; and project planning for consolidating NCR office staff on the Central Experimental Farm. Table 3.2: Capital Projects by Program and Business Line
ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION Table 4: Agency Summary of Standard Objects of Expenditure
(1) See Note (2) following the Financial Spending Plan on page 15.(2) Reduction in major capital indicates the Agency’s intention to reflect the first instalment of the Y2K loan repayment in major capital rather than in other operating.
Table 5: Program Resources by Program and Business Line for the Estimates Year
Table 6: Contributions by Program and Business Line
Table 8: Net Cost of Program for the Estimates Year
Table 9: Listing of Statutes and Regulations A. Statutes and Regulations Currently in Force:
3 The CFIA is responsible for only the enforcement regarding food (s. 11(2) of the CFIA Act) 4 The CFIA is responsible for enforcement and administration of food (s. 11(3)(a) of the CFIA Act), other than provisions related to public health, safety or nutrition (s. 11(3)(b) of the CFIA Act). 5 Only those sections administered by the CFIA
Proposed Regulations:
6 Several of these initiatives can be incorporated into the regulatory renewal process should the legislative initiative receive Parliamentary approval.
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