Updated Compliance and Enforcement Policy – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will update its Compliance and Enforcement Policy, effective November 1, 2020.
The purpose of the policy is to drive a more strategic, consistent, fair and transparent compliance and enforcement approach that allows the CFIA to effectively deliver its mandate, employing a compliance continuum.
Here’s what’s changing
There is no significant shift in policy direction between the 2015 Compliance and Enforcement Operational Policy and the new Compliance and Enforcement Policy. Rather, the policy has been revised to include changes such as the coming into force of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) and changes to Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs). Updates were also required to reflect the evolving nature of CFIA’s operating environment such as online services for regulated parties through My CFIA.
Additional updates include:
• Alignment with the CFIA’s official policy template
• Explanation of inspection versus investigation under the Roles and Responsibilities section
• Removal of Department of Justice roles
• Inclusion of an Inquiries section.
Reduced inspection frequencies for meat imported from Australia and New Zealand -Â The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has reduced the frequency of inspection of imported meat shipments from Australia and New Zealand, two countries with good compliance rates for meat imported into Canada.
Meat shipments imported from these countries are now subject to a 10% random inspection frequency at the time of importation. Meat shipments identified as not requiring inspection, also referred to as “skip lots”, may be transported directly to an importer’s warehouse or final destination upon entry into Canada.
As of November 4, 2020, importers and brokers of meat and meat products from Australia and New Zealand can use the CFIA Automated Shipment Inspection Status Search Tool (ASISST) to find out if their meat shipment requires CFIA inspection.
This inspection decision will be available via ASISST only after a shipment has cleared Canadian customs and you received notification from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
New Requirement for the Export of Fish and Seafood to Ukraine – he Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has updated the Food export requirements library to include the requirement for establishments to be on an Export Eligibility List before exporting fish and seafood to Ukraine.
Consultation on guidelines for simulated meat and poultry products -Â Â The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is consulting with Canadians on proposed updates to the guidelines for industry on simulated meat and simulated poultry products as well as new guidelines for certain plant-based protein foods. The guidelines outline the rules for labelling, advertising, composition and fortification for such products.
The proposed updates are intended to provide consumers with the information they need to make informed buying decisions and to clarify for Canada’s food industry what constitutes simulated meat or poultry products. Clearer guidelines will better support industry in their understanding and application of the regulatory requirements.  Have your say and complete the online survey by December 3, 2020.
Extension of transition period: United States – Canada Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program (GCP) – The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have agreed to extend the transition period from the legacy GCP program (Canadian Greenhouse Certification Program (CGCP) in Canada and United States Greenhouse Certification program (USGCP) in the United States) to the GCP. APHIS and CFIA had originally communicated that the end of the transition period would be December 1, 2020. Through a mutual agreement, APHIS and CFIA have agreed to extended the transition period to September 30, 2021. Facilities authorized under the legacy program will be able to continue shipments under the legacy program until the end of the new transition period. Facilities are encouraged to complete the steps necessary to have their facility authorized under the revised GCP program as soon as possible.