This Bill will consolidate and modernize the legislative framework for the regulation of food, agricultural and aquatic commodities and agricultural inputs by establishing a more consistent approach in areas such as licensing, imports, offences and penalties. The legislative base will be modernized by amending the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act to make the compliance and enforcement provisions uniform and consistent. Administrative and technical changes will be made to simplify and lend greater coherence to the administration of the legislation. Consequential amendments will be made as required to the Health of Animals Act , the Plant Protection Act and the Plant Breeders' Rights Act . The legislative authority of the Review Tribunal established under the Canada Agricultural Products Act will be continued under the Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act .
Food safety continues to be the top priority.
The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food continues to be responsible for agricultural inputs, animal and plant health and for all federal food inspection activities. The Minister of Health retains responsibility for establishing policies and standards related to the safety and nutritional value of food sold in Canada and for assessing the effectiveness of the CFIA's activities relative to food safety. Consolidation of inspection authorities into the CFIA Act will provide a consistent approach to compliance and enforcement. The Bill will provide for a simplified regulatory framework and more efficient regulation of a complex food system. The proposed new single Canada Food Safety and Inspection Act and the consolidation of inspection authorities into the CFIA Act will not only reduce the administrative burden and enhance compliance, but will also increase the deterrents to non-compliance with food and input regulations and toughen measures to end willful repeat offences.