Question Period Note: RED TAPE REDUCTION

Q1 – When can stakeholders expect the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to reduce red tape? Q2 – How is the Canadian Food Inspection Agency working with stakeholders to reduce red tape?

R.1 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has identified over two dozen actions focused on reducing red tape which will advance in the short, medium and long-term.

By including a balance of both regulatory and non-regulatory actions (such as policy and guidance) the Canadian Food Inspection Agency will be able to make progress in the short-term, while ensuring appropriate due diligence and engagement with stakeholders on other actions. R.2 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency regularly engages stakeholders and considers their feedback. In conducting its Red Tape Review, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency examined previous stakeholder feedback received, and actions outlined in its Progress Report respond to these stakeholder issues.

This includes:
• removing prescriptive labelling requirements for fresh fruit and vegetables;
• requiring Salmonella Enteritidis testing for U.S. hatching eggs bound for Canadian licenced hatcheries to match domestic standards;
• updating import conditions for veal to increase flexibility for veal producers and enable them to optimize the value of their carcasses; and
• exploring options to harmonize Canada’s enhanced feed ban with the U.S. to remove competitive barriers for the Canadian beef industry.

On September 5, 2025, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) published a Progress Report identifying 26 key initiatives to reduce red tape. These include 12 actions that have been or are near completion and 14 actions that are planned over the short, medium, and long term.

Given its dual role in supporting both the health and agriculture portfolios, the CFIA has developed its own Progress Report that it will post on its website. The CFIA’s Progress Report includes a mixture of regulatory actions (10), policy (13) and guidance (2) actions, and planned legislative (1) changes.

• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is cutting red tape while safeguarding food safety, animal and plant health, and Canada’s access to international markets.

• Seed regulations are being modernized to support innovation and reduce costs.

• Product approvals for vaccines and feed are faster through recognition of trusted foreign systems.

• International regulatory cooperation is improving competitiveness.

• Import rules for veal and feed bans are being updated to remove trade barriers.