This year’s Annual Report, covering the Agency’s activities from April 1, 1998, to March 31, 1999, describes CFIA’s mandate – from program design and policy development to inspection programs. The Report highlights accomplishments made over the past year and describes the performance management framework that the Agency will use to report to Canadians in future years.

During its second year of operation, the CFIA’s top priority was to ensure the continued protection of Canadian consumers by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the Agency’s services. This has entailed making significant structural improvements to the way the Agency operates. The CFIA has strengthened its foundation in science by consolidating its laboratories into a single reporting structure. Organizational structures across the Agency were adjusted and many key positions were staffed through competitive processes.

To complement these structural improvements, the Agency, in a joint undertaking led by the CFIA in partnership with Health Canada, undertook to modernize and consolidate the existing food and agricultural input statutes currently administered and/or enforced by the CFIA. If approved by Parliament, this proposed new Act, entitled the Canada Food Safety Inspection Act, will provide an effective and efficient modern legislative framework to meet current and future food safety needs as Canada moves into the 21^st century.

The CFIA works closely with all its partners – federal-provincial/territorial governments, consumers and industry – to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of food, animal and plant inspection services.

Recognizing the importance of science advice in making policy and regulatory decisions, the CFIA created the Science Evaluation Unit last year. This Unit will act in coordination with other science elements within the Agency to renew the CFIA’s overall science strategy. In addition, the CFIA, along with other federal science-based departments and agencies, will develop principles, guidelines and implementation measures on the basis of the Council of Science and Technology Advisors’ (CSTA) report, entitled Science Advice for Government Effectiveness (SAGE). This effort will further enhance the effective use of science advice in making government decisions.

The success of the CFIA is a result of the effort and dedication of Agency staff across the country. I am proud to say that our staff is our greatest strength, and the reason that Canadians continue to benefit from one of the best food inspection and quarantine systems in the world.

Ronald L. Doering
President