The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has
been given an honourable mention from the Canadian Federation of Independent
Business' Golden Scissors awards for its new service Ask CFIA.
The annual awards are for cutting red tape.
Ask CFIA provides industry with one point of
entry to ask questions to help them understand and comply with current
regulatory requirements.
This service that was rolled out last June improves
client service to businesses, in particular small businesses, not only by
streamlining where they go to ask technical questions but also by providing
them with timely and consistent written answers to questions.
Ask CFIA will continue to be phased in over
the coming years for all CFIA regulated parties across food, animal and plant
sectors, including the non-registered food sector once the proposed Safe Food for Canadians Regulations
come into force.
Ask CFIA began for the dairy, fresh fruits and vegetables, and fish and
seafood sectors and this January 9 was expanded to processed products, maple products,
honey, and egg and egg products.
The Golden Scissors award is given to an
individual or group that has successfully motivated or demonstrated leadership
and courage, and produced meaningful and positive results in cutting red tape
for small business.
