A National Food Policy/Strategy will need to provide guidance on regulatory matters as regulations are a major instrument for public policy with consequences on agri-food competitiveness, “EES” sustainability, and food security. A significant CFIA inititiative, under the regulatory modernization effort is The Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) and its current consultation.
As conveyed by the CFIA, the SFCR “would replace the current regulations made under the Canada Agricultural Products Act, the Fish Inspection Act, the Meat Inspection Act, and the food-related provisions of the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Regulations. The regulatory framework would create food inspection regulations with consistent, internationally recognized requirements for all food commodities imported or traded inter-provincially. …. The SFCR would support market access for Canadian exporters by keeping pace with food safety modernization efforts in other countries and by strengthening Canada’s reputation for having a world class food safety controls system.”