THUNDER BAY, Ont. – Canadian food inspection services will not be turned over to the private sector, a senior executive of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency promised farmers last week.
And Canada will not accept beef exports from Australia that are inspected by employees of the processing plants.
“I don’t see privatization of inspection happening,” Ron Doering of the agency told the Canadian Federation of Agriculture summer board meeting July 25. “We have no intention of jeopardizing $1 of Canadian exports.”
Similar system wanted?
He had been asked if Canada favors the Australian inspection privatization scheme as a model to be followed here.
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“The answer is no,” said Doering. “In two years of consultation, I did not hear a single group arguing for privatization. The industry wants our stamp.”
He said some services can be or have been turned over to the private sector, including grading.
But inspection for quality and safety must remain in public hands to retain credibility.
Doering said Canada has decided against approving Australia’s suggestion that privately inspected Australian beef be accepted in an experiment.
The Americans have also voiced unease about the proposal.
Australia had proposed private inspection for the export market, but only if major customers like Japan, the U.S. and Canada are willing to accept it.
