Canadian E. coli policy consultations swing into high gear

07.apr.08
NAMP NewsFax

Following the Management Conference, NAMP received from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) a redrafted Annex O which sets out proposed Canadian E. coli regulations.
Canada’s E. coli policy, however, is set out in Guideline 10 issued by Health Canada. The latest version of this policy is dated March 8, 1999, but events have overtaken this version and a new one was drafted by HC on April 16, 2007. This revision went out to consultation late last year, but given the significant U.S. initiatives on E. coli, we suspect that the revisions on Guideline 10 may still be ongoing.
It is likely that Guideline 10 and Annex O will be finalized together to ensure equivalency with the U.S. is maintained.
NAMP’s Canadian members, and U.S. members with Canadian interests, are encouraged to become involved with the CFIA to ensure meat processors are not put in a disadvantaged position by any revisions, whether
policy or regulation.
More importantly, members need to ensure government officials are aware of industry concerns and the pressures created by the proposals. The only way to improve the situation is to get involved, as members did at the Management
Conference.
The Management Conference showed both USDA and CFIA officials in attendance that communication regarding E. coli with operators of small and medium-sized plants needs to be improved quickly.