Federal government gains power to temporarily exempt businesses from food and agriculture rules for economic or food security reasons

Plain-language summary · AI-assisted · not legal advice

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act has been amended to add a new order-making power that allows the Governor in Council (federal cabinet) to exempt specific persons, goods, or activities from most food, animal health, and plant health regulations when it believes an exemption is needed to protect national or regional economic security, or national food security — and is not likely to pose an unreasonable risk to food safety, animal health, plant health, human health, or the environment. Exemption orders can last up to three years and may be extended once for a further three years. Before an order is made, the proposed order must be made public; after it is made, reasons must be published within 60 days. Businesses or individuals who fail to comply with the conditions attached to an exemption lose the benefit of that exemption for themselves or their activities. The act also now formally lists the Agency's mandate activities (such as supporting compliance, facilitating trade, and contributing to consumer protection) and relocates the roles of the Minister of Health and Canada Border Services Agency into their own dedicated sections.

Who this affects: food producers and manufacturers · importers and exporters of food and agricultural products · animal and plant health regulated businesses · federal regulators and inspectors · businesses seeking regulatory relief for economic or food security reasons