Subject: Updated Compliance and Enforcement Operational Policy and
publication of CFIA enforcement activities
This is to inform you that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has
updated its Compliance and Enforcement Operational Policy (CEOP). The
revised version places greater emphasis on transparency as well as recourse
mechanisms available to industry.
The updated policy, which will be available on CFIA's website by February
25, 2011, confirms the CFIA's overall approach to assessing compliance and
applying enforcement action when warranted. We will continue to work closely
with industry members on compliance issues while practicing fairness,
impartiality and consistency. Similarly, existing principles, legislation,
and roles and functions of industry and the CFIA remain in place.
In keeping with our commitment to transparency, the CFIA will also begin
posting on its website quarterly information on enforcement activities. The
first data to go on our website in the coming weeks will include:
- Links to existing prosecution bulletins
- Food imports refused entry into Canada
As this initiative expands, more enforcement-related information will be
posted, including:
- confiscation of food products that could not be brought into compliance;
- Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs);
- federally registered food establishments whose licenses have been
suspended, cancelled or reinstated; and
- names of companies that have received Notices of Violations with Penalty
in the course of carrying out their business.
Posting this information is consistent with the practice of several other
federal regulators who currently provide information on their compliance and
enforcement activities (e.g. CRTC; Transportation Safety Board of Canada;
Health Canada). It is also consistent with information publicly shared by
the US Food and Drug Administration and the US Food Safety and Inspection
Service, and internationally. There is also a demonstrated public need for
this type of disclosure, reinforced by the recommendations in the Report of
the Independent Investigator into the 2008 Listeria Outbreak.
We feel that our decision to add this new section to our website is a fair
and measured approach to protecting the safety of Canada's food supply and,
ultimately, the good reputation of your industry.
We recognize and are sensitive to issues of privacy and commercial
confidence and intend to provide appropriate context for information that
will be made public.
The CFIA and our inspectors remain committed to working closely with you to
resolve any issues that might affect our food supply, your industry and
individual businesses. In doing so, we hope that, together, this will
protect the quality of food Canadians consume while minimizing enforcement
activities.
The CFIA anticipates that you may have questions or need clarification
regarding the new CEOP and the posting of enforcement information. We are
therefore providing you a dedicated email address where you can send your
questions. Please direct your questions to:
cfiamaster@inspection.gc.ca
We encourage you to distribute this information through your own channels.
Thank you for your cooperation and participation.
Sincerely,
Cameron Prince
Vice President, Operations
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Ottawa
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