Commercial Information Circulars
24-hour hotline : 23 922 922
e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk
Ref : EIC 191/2
29 April 2015
Dear Sirs,
Commercial Information Circular No. 308/2015
Canada : Safe Food for Canadians - Micro and Small Business Consultation
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has released the draft text of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulation for consultation. The focus of the consultation is the discussion paper outlining options for reducing regulatory burden on micro and small businesses1. The CFIA will accept comments on the discussion paper via questionnaires by 30 June 2015.
BACKGROUND
2.The Safe Food for Canadians Act was passed in 2012. Before the Act can come into force, regulations to support the Act must be developed. In 2013 and 2014, the CFIA held extensive consultations with industry and stakeholders on a new food framework. During the consultations, some stakeholders have raised concerns over the ability of micro and small businesses to meet some of the requirements being considered.
3.The CFIA launched this consultation in order to better understand the food safety challenges and costs that micro and small businesses face as well as to seek their feedback on options that could reduce the burden associated with certain requirements. The CFIA also wishes to know about the types of tools, guidance resources and support that would assist these businesses in producing safe and compliant food.
4.For details, please refer to the discussion paper at CFIA's website: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/acts-and-regulations/regulatory-initiatives/sfca/food-safety-systems/consultation/new-regulatory-framework/eng/1426532864329/1426532917582. The questionnaire is available at http://inspection.sondages-surveys.ca/surveys/CFIA-ACIA/sfca/?l=en.
ENQUIRIES
5.For enquiries concerning this circular, please contact Mr Lewis LAU at telephone number 2398 5405.
Yours faithfully,
(Miss Janice LAU)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry
1. Small businesses are defined as those generating C$100,000 or less in annual food gross sales while microbusinesses are defined as those generating C$30,000 or less in annual food gross sales.