Agriculture committee  Thank you for the excellent question. Overall, the progress reports are really a step in the right direction. I think that some of the initiatives set out will have a positive impact throughout the entire food supply chain. In terms of aligning regulations, it's important to note that Canada’s system is actually based on international standards.

Agriculture committee  As far as we know, all products imported into Canada must meet import requirements set by the CFIA. Unfortunately, we’re not familiar with inspection procedures; however, our members often tell us that there is an imbalance in access to the markets of other countries with significant trade relations with Canada.

Agriculture committee  Any mechanism to flag differing interpretations or certain irritants to resolve inefficiencies promptly and effectively would be very beneficial to the industry.

Agriculture committee  Two pathways for improvements have emerged from proposals made by our members, who are complaining that there are a lot of differing interpretations of inspection guidelines and requirements. A guideline may be interpreted in one way in a plant in Quebec and in another way in a plant in Ontario.

Agriculture committee  Thank you. CFIA’s progress report states that the agency will introduce many digital certificates. This will reduce human error and make international trade more seamless. This is another step in the right direction.

Agriculture committee  Our members often tell us that a free trade agreement does not necessarily amount to market access. It’s therefore important for issues of access to markets to be resolved when negotiating free trade agreements and before they come into force so that businesses can reap the full benefits of the expanded access offered through these agreements.

Agriculture committee  Our members have either told us that existing financial assistance programs to drive innovation are too restrictive or that the definition of “innovation” is not applicable because it does not always apply to the agri-food sector. We often hear that to qualify for funding through existing programs, the proposed technology must be entirely new in Canada and not previously available.

Agriculture committee  If I may, I’ll hand over to my colleague Ms. Farrell, who’s much more knowledgeable on matters of plastics.

Agriculture committee  Mr. Chair and members of the committee, we appreciate the government’s regulatory reform initiatives under the Red Tape Reduction Act and the recent progress reports from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, or CFIA, and Health Canada. Health Canada’s move toward a more flexible risk-based approach is commendable.