1. 1. RCC Webinars Equivalence of Food Safety Systems, Meat and Poultry Export Certification, and Meat Cut Nomenclature January 9, 2014 CFIA FSIS

2. 2. An initial 29 item RCC Action Plan was announced in December 2011. We are now entering the final months of the initial Action Plan. In recent Canada Gazette and Federal Register consultations, PCO/OIRA received stakeholder submissions representing 160 organizations. Canada and the US are committed to another phase of work and are considering input received with Departments. Canada and the US will develop an outline of a forward plan for regulatory cooperation by the Spring, building on progress to date and lessons learned through the implementation of the initial Action Plan. Both governments plan to engage stakeholders in the development of the next phase of work. RCC – The Way Forward

3. 3. Equivalence of Food Safety Systems, Meat and Poultry Export Certification RCC Webinars January 9, 2014 ACIA Dr. Mary Rathlou Mary.Rathlou@inspection.gc.ca FSIS Mary Stanley RCC –BtB@one.usda.gov

4. 4. Content 1.Overview of the Initiative 2.Progress Update and Next Steps 3.Key Issues 4.Ongoing Alignment Work 5.Questions

5. 5. Equivalence of Food Safety Systems for Meat and Poultry Products

6. 6. Overview of the initiative Objective:  Ensure public health goals are met by enhanced information sharing  Reduce where possible, certain specific regulatory requirements as they pertain to inspection and re- inspection activities Deliverable/Outcome:  Streamline requirements and simplify associated administrative procedures for products produced under Canada and U.S. equivalent meat and poultry product inspection systems

7. 7. Progress update Action Item 1:  Streamline requirements and procedures related to equivalence Current Status:  Canada and the U.S. have compiled a side-by- side comparison in order to evaluate equivalence  Canada and the U.S. have completed audits of each other’s meat inspection systems and FSIS has published their audit online  Undertaking further analysis on areas of mutual interest

8. 8. Next steps and key issues Next Steps  Finalize the side-by-side analysis of requirements and make corresponding changes to export libraries  Harmonization of requirements where possible

9. 9. Progress update Action Item 2:  Establish a mechanism to maintain and promote continued alignment Current Status:  Terms of Reference have been finalized to establish a senior level commitment between CFIA and FSIS  CFIA and FSIS have had regular exchanges (quarterly basis) since this commitment was established

10. 10. Meat and Poultry Product Certification

11. 11. Overview of the initiative Objective:  To reduce or eliminate redundant certification requirements, data elements and administrative procedures for shipments flowing between Canada and the U.S. Deliverable/Outcome:  Streamline the meat and poultry certification process

12. 12. Progress update Action Item:  Streamline/eliminate certification requirements and procedures Current Status:  Work is underway to identify options to simplify certification including removal of redundant requirements and options for simplified certificates  The final BSE comprehensive rule was released and provides flexibility to support future work for veterinary signatures

13. 13. Next steps  Finalize discussion between Canada and the U.S. and make appropriate updates to simplify certification requirements by eliminating outdated and redundant requirements  Collaboration with FSIS on e-Cert efforts to facilitate CFIA progress in this area

14. 14. Key Issues In order to move forward with options for veterinary certification, it will be imperative to finalize the Canadian regulation change allowing US reciprocity.

15. 15. Ongoing Alignment Work  Current collaboration is a good foundation for future work and provides a starting point for deeper regulatory cooperation.  CFIA and USDA will be jointly evaluating the many comments submitted in response to solicitations for public input on the next phase of the RCC.  CFIA and USDA will explore the development of overarching Department-to-Department regulatory cooperation arrangements, including -Direction and strategy -Enabling MOU’s, e.g., information and fund- sharing (at Departmental level) -Terms of Reference and a governance structure

16. 16. Questions Questions? Comments?