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Canadian Food Inspection Agency CANADIAN QUALITY ASSURANCE® PROGRAM FOR PORK COMPLETES TECHNICAL REVIEWOTTAWA, August 3, 2004 - Martin Firth, Manager of the of the Canadian Food Inspection Agencys Policy and Strategies Division is pleased to announce the successful completion of Technical Review Part One, of the Canadian Pork Councils (CPC) on-farm food safety program, Canadian Quality Assurance®. This is one of several projects of the industry-led Canadian approach to on-farm food safety to begin the process towards gaining government recognition. The objective of Technical Review-Part One of the recognition process is to confirm the program is technically sound, meets regulatory requirements, and adheres to Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles. James Sefton, Ontario Area Co-ordinator of the CFIA-led recognition program was team leader for the federal-provincial-territorial technical assessment of Canadian Quality Assurance®. CPC has done a great deal of work in developing a comprehensive yet practical on-farm food safety program, said Sefton. The participation of a large number of provinces on the technical review team indicates a high level of interest in the Canadian pork industry. Receiving government recognition is not only good for the industry, it will help to showcase our products domestically and in international markets, said past CPC President, Edouard Asnong at the CPC annual general meeting in Abbotsford, B.C. on July 8, 2004. This is a momentous occasion for the pork industry and shows our long-standing commitment to food safety. Responding to food safety concerns of consumers as well as foreseen international trade requirements, on-farm food safety programs have been in development by Canada's national producer organizations the mid-1990s. Assistance for the development and implementation of these programs is provided through the Systems Development Component of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canadas Canadian Food Safety and Quality Program. Led by the CFIA, the federal-provincial-territorial On-Farm Food Safety Recognition Program directly supports the Food Safety and Food Quality component of the Agricultural Policy Framework. To date, 19 national producer organizations have expressed their intention to apply for recognition of their on-farm food safety programs. Hog producers in Canada organized in 1966 as the Canadian Swine Council to participate in the development and negotiation of a new carcass grading system. Subsequently renamed the Canadian Pork Council, the CPC provides a national leadership role for hog producers in achieving a dynamic and prosperous pork industry in Canada. -30- For more information, contact: Martin Firth |
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