Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Food Safety Directorate
Policy and Strategies
On-Farm Food Safety Recognition Program

ON-FARM FOOD SAFTEY PROGRAM FOR CANADIAN CATTLE COMPLETES TECHNICAL REVIEW – PART ONE

The Quality Starts Here/Verified Beef Production Program (VBP), the on-farm food safety program of the Canadian Cattlemen's Association (CCA), has successfully completed Technical Review – Part One of the of the recognition process led by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

This is one of several projects of the voluntary, industry-led Canadian approach to on-farm food safety to begin the process towards gaining government recognition.

During Technical Review – Part One, a review team comprised of federal, provincial and territorial commodity specialists examine and assess the national producer organization's generic Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) model and producer manual to confirm the program is technically sound and adheres to HACCP principles. On-farm food safety programs are also assessed against federal, provincial and territorial regulatory requirements.

As a result of this review, the Canadian Cattlemen's Association can confidently move forward with its program knowing it is technically sound.

“This step is important for the program and for the beef industry,” said Stan Eby, President of the CCA. “It demonstrates we are on track with the VBP design and sets the stage for broader participation by producers across Canada. It also sends an important message to domestic and international beef customers that they can continue to count on Canadian beef quality.”

The Quality Starts Here/Verified Beef Production Program is being delivered to producers across Canada before undergoing the remaining stages of the recognition process.

Responding to food safety concerns of buyers and consumers as well as foreseen international trade requirements, on-farm food safety programs have been in voluntary development by Canada's national producer organizations since 1997. Assistance for the development and implementation of these programs is provided through the Systems Development Component of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) Canadian Food Safety and Quality Program.

Led by the CFIA, the On-Farm Food Safety Recognition Program is a joint federal-provincial-territorial program in direct support of the Food Safety and Quality component of AAFC's Agricultural Policy Framework. To date, 18 national producer organizations have expressed their intention to apply for recognition of their on-farm food safety programs. Scientific and technical advice to industry towards the development and documentation of its on-farm food safety programs is also provided by the CFIA.

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For more information, contact:

Martin Firth
Manager
Headquarters
Floor 1, Room 116
159 Cleopatra  Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0Y9
Telephone: (613) 221-7011
Facsimile: (613) 228-6116
mfirth@inspection.gc.ca

On-Farm Food Safety Recognition Program on CFIA Web site:
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/polstrat/reco/recoe.shtml

Canadian Cattlemen's Association's Web site:
http://www.cattle.ca