The Canadian Food Inspection Agency will be creating sixteen targeted "Centres of Expertise" across Canada to provide industry and its own inspectors with improved, more consistent access to expert information and advice.
The announcement was made by Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz in Saskatoon yesterday.
"These Centres of Expertise will pool expertise and make it available through a single window," explained Ritz.
The centres, which are expected to be created over the next few years, will consolidate and co-locate experts for specific programs.
The changes are part of the CFIA's efforts to improve how it interacts with stakeholders and improve industry's understanding of federal regulations.
The information hub for grains & oilseeds, seed, plants with novel traits and fertilizer will be located in Saskatoon. The red meat slaughter and foreign animal disease and emergency management centres will be in Calgary.
| Centre of Expertise | Location |
|---|
| Forestry | Burnaby, BC |
|---|
| Finfish | Burnaby, BC |
|---|
| Red Meat Slaughter | Calgary, AB |
|---|
| Foreign Animal Disease and Emergency Management | Calgary, AB |
|---|
Grains & Oilseeds
Seed
Plants with Novel Traits
Fertilizer | Saskatoon, SK |
|---|
| Agri-foods and Non-federally Registered Products | Guelph, ON |
|---|
| Import/Export of Animals | Guelph, ON |
|---|
| Horticulture | Guelph, ON |
|---|
| Labelling and Claims | National Capital Region |
|---|
| Animal Feed | National Capital Region |
|---|
| Poultry Slaughter | ST-Hyacinthe, QC |
|---|
| Processed Meat and Poultry | ST-Hyacinthe, QC |
|---|
| Domestic Animal Disease and Animal Welfare | ST-Hyacinthe, QC |
|---|
| Shellfish | Moncton, NB |
|---|
| Aquatic Animal Health | Moncton, NB |
|---|
| Potatoes and Soil | Charlottetown, PEI |
|---|
Source: PortageOnline