Publication of Enforcement Data on CFIA Website - Questions and Answers

What enforcement activity information is the CFIA publishing?

As of March 16, 2011, the CFIA began posting data on its enforcement and compliance activities. The initial data included:

• food imports that have been refused entry into Canada;
• federally registered food establishments and other federally registered entities (e.g. fish importers) whose licenses have been suspended, cancelled, or refused to be renewed; (date of license reinstatement is also posted when applicable); and
• notices of violations with warning and/or with penalties issued under the Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations, including identifying repeat offenders of animal transport regulations.

On June 30, 2011, data for confiscated and disposed domestic food products that could not be brought into compliance was added to the report.

On September 27, 2011, the CFIA began posting data on certification holders who have had their organic certification suspended or cancelled under the Canada Organic Regime.

On October 20, 2011 the compliance reporting was expanded to include data for confiscated and disposed imported food products that could not be brought into compliance.

Why is the CFIA publishing information on enforcement activities?

The CFIA is constantly seeking ways to improve our communication with the public and highlight the safety of Canada's food supply.

Publishing this information is consistent with commitments made in response to the Report of the Independent Investigator into the 2008 Listeriosis Outbreak.

In addition, consumers and consumer associations have told the CFIA that they want more information on inspections and enforcement activities.

By publishing this information on the CFIA website, we are providing consumers with information on enforcement action being taken to protect the safety of Canada's food supply, and the animal and plant resource base upon which safe food depends.

Why is the CFIA posting the names of companies who are repeat violators of humane transport regulations and who have received Notices of Violations with penalty (otherwise known as Administrative Monetary Penalties, or AMPs)?

There is a demonstrated public need for this type of disclosure, reinforced by the CFIA's commitment to making more information public on its enforcement activities. This movement towards greater transparency is shared by other federal regulators in Canada and the US.

Making this information public is a fair, balanced and measured approach to protecting the safety of Canada's food supply and the resources upon which it depends. And, ultimately, it promotes public confidence in the federal government's enforcement actions.

Why do you not identify all companies that receive notices of violations with warning and penalties?

Currently, the CFIA is posting information on all notices of violations with warning and penalties and identifying the company name of repeat offenders of animal transport regulations. However, this is only the first phase. The CFIA intends to eventually publish the names of all company violators, in a phased approach.

Will the names of companies that have had their licenses or registrations suspended be removed from the website after they have made changes and become compliant again?

Once a named company has come back into compliance, the CFIA will note this change and will publish the reinstatement date.

Do other countries publish information on enforcement activities?

Yes, publishing information on enforcement activities is already common practice for many of Canada's trading partners, including the United States.

Will additional information be posted?

As this initiative expands, more enforcement-related information will be published.