Minister unsure how many CANADIAN inspectors watching animals bound for slaughter

22.sep.10
Postmedia News
Sarah Schmidt

OTTAWA -- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency cannot say how many inspectors are stationed across the country to make sure animal health rules are followed during the transport of animals destined for dinner plates, according to newly released information.
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, responsible for the agency, makes the admission in documentation introduced in the House of Commons in response to a query from Ontario MP Malcolm Allen, food safety critic for the NDP.
Explaining that "CFIA has not specifically tracked the number of inspectors" to ensure animal transport regulations are followed, Ritz explains that "many CFIA inspectors are cross-utilized in other programs. This includes inspectors that work in animal health and for this reason it is not possible to identify the exact numbers of inspectors dedicated to ensuring compliance to the Health of Animals Regulations."