OTTAWA, August 9, 2013: As part of the Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and United States Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) are seeking feedback from stakeholders on the draft Canada-United States Perimeter Approach to Plant Protection framework document.
The framework proposes details on how the two government agencies can work together on regulatory cooperation and aligning regulatory policies where possible, for the safe and efficient trade in plants and plant products between Canada and the United States.
Under the framework, the CFIA and APHIS will identify and prioritize issues of mutual concern that could benefit from closer regulatory cooperation or alignment of regulatory policies.
As a plant health stakeholder, your input is very important. In particular, we would appreciate your views on the proposed framework, the role of stakeholders in the process, and issues that you believe could benefit from closer United States-Canada regulatory cooperation.
Some specific questions for your consideration could include:
- How and when would you, as a stakeholder, like to be engaged in the process of identification and prioritization of issues under this framework?
- What specific areas of plant health programs would benefit from closer cooperation between Canada and the United States?
- Are there differences between specific United States and Canada plant health regulatory policies that are creating unnecessary financial or technical burdens for your industry or sector?
- What are some advantages or disadvantages associated with deepening bilateral cooperation in North America?
APHIS and the CFIA will share and consider all comments received and revise the draft framework as appropriate. The Steering Committee will meet later this year to finalize the framework and to determine projects and priorities for 2014.
Please send your comments to rccplant-ccrvegetaux@inspection.gc.ca by September 27, 2013.
