(CBSA)
Memorandum to Importers/Brokers/Carriers/Inspection Facility Operators/Associations
Subject: Discontinuation of the practice of advance notification of inspection of U.S. meat imports.
The following is to inform you that as of January 4, 2010, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will discontinue the practice of providing advance notification of inspection of US meat imports. This change in procedure is in line with the Government of Canada Food Safety Action Plan. Canada has full confidence in the safety of food imported from the USA. This change will make Canada’s food safety system stronger and will move Canada a step closer to full harmonization with US meat import controls
All meat shipments from the USA are inspected and certified by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) authorities prior to exportation to Canada. Importers/Brokers can submit their import requests to the CFIA Import Service Centres (ISC) for documentation review up to 72 hours in advance of the actual shipment arrival. This procedure will continue to apply.
Starting January 4, 2010, when a meat shipment is presented for electronic release, the CFIA Import Service Centre (ISC) will transmit a message to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) indicating if the shipment has been selected for an inland CFIA inspection. If the shipment is identified as a “skip lot” it will be allowed to proceed to its manifested destination.
It should be noted that ALL meat shipments that are presented on a paper release will be directed to report to a CFIA approved facility inland for inspection.
If an inland CFIA inspection is required, the CBSA Border Services Officer (BSO) at the Primary Inspection Line (PIL) will affix a special CFIA stamp (similar to the attached specimen) on the import documentation which will serve as notice to the Carrier to report inland for CFIA inspection.
As all US meat shipments must be released by the CBSA at the border, the BSO will continue to stamp the import documents with a customs release stamp.
The onus will be on Importers/Brokers to ensure that their Carriers are aware of this new procedure and that they know where to report in the event that their shipment has been selected for CFIA inspection. The Importers/Brokers are to provide the Carriers with the location and directions to the meat inspection facility that has been pre-selected by the importer prior to crossing the border.
Should you have questions regarding these new procedures, contact a CFIA Import Service Centre
Monday, November 16, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Industry Minister Clement to Explore Improved Trade Relations During Visit to Israel
(Industry Canada)
The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, will arrive in Tel Aviv tomorrow [Saturday] to begin five days of meetings that will focus on Canada–Israel trade relations and developments in the field of water technologies.
“This year marks the 60th anniversary of relations between our two countries and the 12th anniversary of the Canada–Israel Free Trade Agreement,” said Minister Clement. “I am hoping that our visit may lead to even closer cooperation and serve to demonstrate to companies here that Canada is a good place to do business.”
One of the highlights of the trip will be the Minister’s attendance at the International Water Technologies, Renewable Energy and Environmental Control Exhibition (WATEC). The Minister is scheduled to address WATEC on the significant initiatives Canada has undertaken, both domestically and internationally, in the field of water technologies. Read more here.
The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, will arrive in Tel Aviv tomorrow [Saturday] to begin five days of meetings that will focus on Canada–Israel trade relations and developments in the field of water technologies.
“This year marks the 60th anniversary of relations between our two countries and the 12th anniversary of the Canada–Israel Free Trade Agreement,” said Minister Clement. “I am hoping that our visit may lead to even closer cooperation and serve to demonstrate to companies here that Canada is a good place to do business.”
One of the highlights of the trip will be the Minister’s attendance at the International Water Technologies, Renewable Energy and Environmental Control Exhibition (WATEC). The Minister is scheduled to address WATEC on the significant initiatives Canada has undertaken, both domestically and internationally, in the field of water technologies. Read more here.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
FAST, Importer Application Process for Importing into Canada
(CSCB)
The CBSA has published a guide on FAST, Importer Application Process for Importing into Canada. It is available on the CBSA website.
The CBSA has published a guide on FAST, Importer Application Process for Importing into Canada. It is available on the CBSA website.
Audit of the MOU Between the CBSA and the CFIA
(CBSA)
The portion of the CFIA responsibility for traveller and initial inspection services at all Canadian ports of entry for food, plants and animals (FPAs) and related products was transferred to the CBSA by Order-in-Council in 2003. The CBSA is responsible for the initial import inspection services set out in Section 11 of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act to the extent that they are applicable at airports and Canadian border points. […]
The audit found that the CBSA was partially meeting its obligations under the MOU as the control framework to support FPA-related border activities was not complete. While the FPA-related procedures in effect were adequate for wood packaging given the risk exposure, the procedures in effect for international waste and soil, performance monitoring and reporting, and risk management needed to be improved. Read the complete statement here.
The portion of the CFIA responsibility for traveller and initial inspection services at all Canadian ports of entry for food, plants and animals (FPAs) and related products was transferred to the CBSA by Order-in-Council in 2003. The CBSA is responsible for the initial import inspection services set out in Section 11 of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act to the extent that they are applicable at airports and Canadian border points. […]
The audit found that the CBSA was partially meeting its obligations under the MOU as the control framework to support FPA-related border activities was not complete. While the FPA-related procedures in effect were adequate for wood packaging given the risk exposure, the procedures in effect for international waste and soil, performance monitoring and reporting, and risk management needed to be improved. Read the complete statement here.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Minister Day Signs Agreement to Promote Trade Opportunities with Kuwait
(Minister of International Trade)
The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today signed an agreement on economic cooperation with Ahmad Rashed Al Haroun, the Minister of Commerce and Industry for Kuwait, in Ottawa.
“Kuwait offers many opportunities for Canadian companies in the oil and gas sector, engineering and architectural services, agri-food and education,” said Minister Day. “In signing this new agreement with Kuwait, the Government of Canada is opening doors for Canadian business by establishing a framework by which both sides can work to increase trade and investment.”
The agreement’s objectives are:
• To enhance economic relations in the fields of trade and investment;
• To strengthen cooperation with a view to liberalizing trade and investment in accordance with national laws and international obligations;
• To facilitate the increased involvement of the private sector in trade and investment cooperation; and
• To promote a favourable environment and complementary activities to encourage private-sector investment.
Minister Al-Haroun is leading a trade mission to Canada. Among the business delegation are members of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Kuwait Banking Association and the Investment Companies Association.
Kuwait has one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, with assets estimated at $200 billion. Canada’s two-way merchandise trade with Kuwait in 2008 was valued at $195 million, almost a 70% increase over the previous year.
Kuwait is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a group of six nations that is a priority market for Canada. The GCC comprises the most prosperous countries in the Middle East, and it has a rapidly growing economy worth $1.1 trillion. Building on their immense success in the oil industry, the GCC countries are diversifying their economies and transforming the region into a world hub for business, finance and tourism.
Two-way merchandise trade between Canada and GCC nations reached $5.6 billion in 2008, a 37% increase from 2007.
The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today signed an agreement on economic cooperation with Ahmad Rashed Al Haroun, the Minister of Commerce and Industry for Kuwait, in Ottawa.
“Kuwait offers many opportunities for Canadian companies in the oil and gas sector, engineering and architectural services, agri-food and education,” said Minister Day. “In signing this new agreement with Kuwait, the Government of Canada is opening doors for Canadian business by establishing a framework by which both sides can work to increase trade and investment.”
The agreement’s objectives are:
• To enhance economic relations in the fields of trade and investment;
• To strengthen cooperation with a view to liberalizing trade and investment in accordance with national laws and international obligations;
• To facilitate the increased involvement of the private sector in trade and investment cooperation; and
• To promote a favourable environment and complementary activities to encourage private-sector investment.
Minister Al-Haroun is leading a trade mission to Canada. Among the business delegation are members of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Kuwait Banking Association and the Investment Companies Association.
Kuwait has one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, with assets estimated at $200 billion. Canada’s two-way merchandise trade with Kuwait in 2008 was valued at $195 million, almost a 70% increase over the previous year.
Kuwait is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a group of six nations that is a priority market for Canada. The GCC comprises the most prosperous countries in the Middle East, and it has a rapidly growing economy worth $1.1 trillion. Building on their immense success in the oil industry, the GCC countries are diversifying their economies and transforming the region into a world hub for business, finance and tourism.
Two-way merchandise trade between Canada and GCC nations reached $5.6 billion in 2008, a 37% increase from 2007.
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