Why move on a broader national food policy

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Towards a National FoodPolicy Framework
Identifying Issues and Challenges Facing
Canadas Food System
Presentation at Guelph meeting Towards a
National Food Safety Strategy March 21, 2005
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Purpose of the Presentation

• To discuss the current challenges facing the
  food sector and to examine the path forward

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Ensuring a Healthy Population

• Industry and government have a shared
  responsibility to provide Canadians with safe
  food
• An estimated 1 million Canadians suffer from food
  borne illness each year.
• This costs the Canadian economy approximately 1
  billion
• There is growing recognition that food can
  significantly affect the long-term health status
  of Canadians
• Rates of obesity and chronic food-related
  diseases (e.g. diabetes) are increasing
• Strain on our health care system is increasing
• Lost of productivity due to diet related chronic
  disease costs an estimated 6.6 billion putting a
  strain on the health-care system.
• Food and dietary habits can play a significant
  role in promoting healthy living as well as the
  cause and the prevention of some chronic diseases
  (e.g. Heart Disease, Diabetes).

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Increased Awareness and Expectations of Canadians

• Canadians are more knowledgeable about the food
  that they eat and the impact food has on their
  lives.
• Consumers are demanding increased availability of
  diverse products, healthier options, and
  assurance systems that provide guarantees about
  these food products.
• Recent crises in the food sector have brought to
  the forefront for Canadians the relationship
  between animal and human health (e.g. BSE, Avian
  Influenza).
• Recent studies indicate that 75 of animal
  diseases are transmittable to humans

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The Food Sector is a Vital Part of the Canadian
Economy

• The food sector employs 1 in 8 Canadians
• In 2002 this accounted for 8.2 of total Canadian
  GDP
• Canada is a trade dependent country
• Canadian food products are consumed in more than
  180 countries, generating more than 30 billion
  each year
• Approximately 50 of agricultural commodities and
  over 80 of fish and seafood products are
  exported
• About 25 of processed food products produced in
  Canada is exported
• Losing export markets has significant economic
  consequences (e.g. BSE)
• Governments need to work together more
  collaboratively to better address the challenges
  facing Canadas food system

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The Current Landscape is Complex

• Food is a Multi-jurisdictional Responsibility
• Food safety is a farm to fork issue requiring
  involvement of all levels of government
• Equivalency of systems and regulations has been
  identified as a priority by all levels of
  government.
• Food-Related Issues are Interconnected
• Food safety and quality affects market access
• Issues in one part of the food chain can impact
  the entire food continuum

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Challenges Facing CanadasApproach to Food

• Maintaining Consumer Confidence
• Canadians are more knowledgeable about the food
  they eat and the impact food has on their lives
• Consumer confidence in Canadas food supply is
  currently high but it needs to be maintained
• Governments and the food sector need to prepare
  for, and respond rapidly to, emerging issues and
  crises

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Challenges Facing CanadasApproach to Food
(contd)

• Recognition of Food as a Determinant of Health
• Food significantly affects the short and
  long-term health status of Canadians (e.g.
  omega-3 fatty acids found in fish can reduce the
  risk of heart disease)
• Industry, government and citizens have a shared
  responsibility for providing an environment that
  supports healthy eating and safe food
• A greater understanding of the link between
  animal and human health necessitates rigorous
  systems that protect the food supply
• Consumers are demanding diverse products,
  healthier options, and product assurance systems
  that foster informed choices

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Challenges Facing CanadasApproach to Food
(contd)

• Rapidly evolving science
• Scientific and technological advances support
  industry innovation
• Prescriptive standards/regulations are less
  likely to keep pace with scientific advances that
  outcome-based standards/regulations
• Effects of Globalization
• Maintaining food safety and protecting against
  risks of foreign plant and animal disease
  outbreaks in a system where food frequently
  crosses borders
• Markets access could be jeopardized if
  governments and industry are not able to respond
  and adapt to market demands and evolving foreign
  regulatory requirements

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Laying the Groundwork for Action

• AAFC, HC, CFIA and DFO along with our provincial
  and territorial partners are working to develop a
  more coordinated approach to food
• This would be developed in accordance with the
  guiding principles of Smart Regulations
• Ensuring effectiveness, cost efficiency,
  timeliness, transparency, accountability and
  performance measures
• These will serve to
• Protect Canadians and support industry
  competitiveness
• Be more responsive
• Allow for more collaborative governance

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Initiatives Underway

• HCs Legislative Review / Renewal
• Modernization and strengthening of the
  legislation to help better protect Canadians
  against health risks including those related to
  food safety
• The intent would be to control products based on
  the level of risk rather than on their
  categorization (e.g., definitions of foods,
  drugs, etc.)
• In the meantime, product definitions would be
  retained and a Classification Committee would
  determine regulatory regime(s) to be applied to a
  product.
• Covers the entire food continuum from production
  to consumption.

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Initiatives Underway (contd)

• CFIS draft National Food Safety Strategy
• Under the Canadian Food Inspection System
  Implementation Group (CFISIG) this initiative is
  lead by HC and CFIA with participation from the
  provinces and territories.
• The Strategy is to provide a scientific and
  risk-based approach to improving public health
  protection related to food safety and nutrition.
  
• Covers microbiological, chemical, and nutritional
  requirements related to foods and its key levers
  are regulatory information/education support
  for industry-developed voluntary programs
  surveillance and research.
• Will provide public outcomes that are clearly
  defined and measurable and place national work
  the context of improved public health.

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Initiatives Underway (contd)

• Animal Health Strategy
• Review of the capacity and competence of the
  animal and veterinary public health community in
  Canada to enhance Canada's ability to manage the
  risks of the current and emerging global threat
  environment.
• National Traceability Policy
• Development of a policy that is national in scope
  and which articulates a vision for 2008, roles
  and responsibilities of government and industry
  and a path forward.

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Questions for Discussion

• Are the challenges and opportunities facing the
  food sector in Canada accurately depicted?
• Are there additional issues that should be
  considered/included in the discussion?

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Towards a National FoodPolicy Framework
Identifying Issues and Challenges Facing
Canadas Food System
Presentation at Guelph meeting Towards a
National Food Safety Strategy March 21, 2005
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