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REVISED FRESH PRODUCE DESTINATION INSPECTION SERVICE (DIS)

OTTAWA, July 6, 2006 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is modernizing its Destination Inspection Service (DIS) for fresh produce in an effort to improve service for an important agricultural sector and contribute to market stability. Destination Inspections are requested by receivers of shipped produce to provide impartial accounts of the produce's quality.

Through an industry-supported cost recovery model, inspection resources will be increased and dedicated to inspect fresh produce in a more consistent and timely manner to respond to changing market demand.

The development of the modernized system was the result of extensive consultation with industry and other interested parties.

For several years, the fresh produce industry sector in Canada has identified a need for the establishment of a Fresh Produce DIS to meet the demands of international trade and maintain a recognized system for dispute resolution.

This revised system will help the industry by maintaining a credible system of destination inspection, recognized by our trading partners, particularly in the United States and Mexico.

Our United States counterparts have historically regarded Canada’s inspection system on par with their own and this revision will ensure such parity with our partners is maintained.

Implementation of this revised program will involve a transitional period of several months which will require moving from current operations to a dedicated service with destination inspections of fresh produce shipments as the priority.

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Canadian Food Inspection Agency Media Relations:
Ottawa (613) 228-6682