RAAWG Objectives 2020

PO Box 35570 2528 Bayview Avenue Toronto, ON M2L 2Y4 Tel: 416-447-9970 www.pfac.com PET FOOD ASSOCIATION OF CANADA Regulatory Affairs Advisory Working Group (RAAWG) Background The following objectives were proposed by the RAAWG to ensure a more focused effort on advancing some of these challenges. There is no deadline for completion, but the group will work on prioritizing these with feedback from PFAC members, and work on making progress. The group will re-evaluate its objectives at the end of each calendar year. 2020 - 2021 Objectives 1. Issue Monitoring and Signaling a. A mechanism will be created for the RAAWG members (and general membership) to report ongoing issues that could impact the broader membership. b. PFAC will track issues and provide a general and regular update on issues and solutions if available to its membership to spot emerging trends or challenges as they arise. c. The RAAWG will engage in ad hoc discussions on any issue that it deems relevant and important that will have an industry wide impact – for potential solutions and strategy in advancing those issues. 2. Improved Communication and Engagement a. A standing objective of PFAC and the RAAWG will be to create an environment where all members become more engaged on regulatory challenges. b. PFAC will implement a few different options for improved communication, including a Regulatory Discussion group in its member portal, more regular regulatory reports, allow feedback from members on these objectives, and providing greater transparency on the RAAWG work (i.e. agendas, minutes, objectives). 3. BSE Status a. Canada’s BSE status is currently controlled risk, but the government is working on submitting an application for review of this status by July 2020. By May 2021, we should have an answer of whether BSE status will be set as negligible risk. b. PFAC will work with CFIA to understand the steps that will occur if/when we regain negligible risk status with regards to: i. Import policies changing to accommodate beef ingredients from the US 2 Pet Food ASSOCIATION OF CANADA ii. Export certificate changes in countries that currently do not accept bovine or ruminant materials from Canada, and how CFIA plans to deal with updating these certificates without re-opening negotiation iii. How PFAC can support the CFIA in this work to be ready to take advantage of the status change 4. Regional Veterinarian Consistency and Uniformity a. How vets in different regions apply import and export conditions and requirements differ slightly, and impact various PFAC members in different ways b. PFAC will work to understand the structure of CFIA – the ABP group, and the regional vet structure under the Operations branch to facilitate: i. Improved communications between CFIA HQ and regional vet supervisors ii. Supporting regional vets in their duties iii. Supporting PFAC members in deciding how best to channel their concerns – whether their region can handle the situation, or to elevate it to the national level and when to do so 5. Domestic Substance List a. The RAAWG can support the DSL project work by helping to engage the broader membership, especially ingredient suppliers they work with, or non-member suppliers to understand this challenge and what needs to be completed. b. The RAAWG will also act as a sounding board for discussing recommendations to the PFAC Board of Directors on important industry wide decisions (i.e. notification process). 6. GAPFA Project Support a. GAPFA has several projects through its Food Safety and Trade Facilitation work stream that PFAC is involved in as a member b. The RAAWG may be called on to help support the work of PFAC in its GAPFA project work – as required. 7. Change Control and Consultation – Import and export requirement changes a. There are several examples of CFIA providing updates or notices with little to no advance notice, no consultation with industry, and often with ill considered decisions that impact the pet food industry b. PFAC will work towards improving this relationship with the goal to be better informed, act as a consultant to CFIA prior to any decisions that could impact the industry, and offer support for their work 3 Pet Food ASSOCIATION OF CANADA c. This will be done by highlighting changes that arise or have arisen, and showing how these have impacted the industry, and how up-front communication would have assuaged most concerns