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3.2.6.1: CFIA-led initiative
Name of Horizontal Initiative: National Aquatic Animal Health Program (NAAHP)
Name of Lead Department(s): Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)
Lead Departments Program Activity:
CFIA: Animal Health Risks and Production Systems
DFO: Science (Diagnostics & Research)
Start Date of the Horizontal Initiative: April 1, 2005
End Date of the Horizontal Initiative: Ongoing
Total Federal Funding Allocation (start to end date): $59.05M (2005-06 to 2009-10) plus $10.33M on-going
Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement): The objective of the NAAHP is to provide protection of Canada’s aquatic resource productivity by minimizing the risk of the spread of infectious diseases of concern within Canada and by providing a national system to support competitive market access by Canadian exporters of aquatic animals and their commodities through a national program that meets international standards for aquatic animal disease control and that allows Canada to apply control measures on imports that pose a risk of introduction of serious diseases into Canada. The NAAHP is built on the CFIA’s established animal health legislative framework, the Health of Animals Act and on DFO’s established aquatic animal health science expertise. The CFIA provides program leadership and direction of field operations and collaborative agreements for aquaculture surveillance, emergency response measures, export certification and import controls. DFO provides the surveillance and monitoring activities and information for wild resources and delivers or oversees the diagnostic and research support requirements for the program. Ongoing funding for this initiative was obtained in June 2005. Roles and responsibilities were agreed to under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), co-signed with the DFO in February 2006.
Shared Outcome(s):
Sustainable Aquatic Resource Productivity that supports rural and coastal economies through farming, commercial and recreational fishing and tourism.
Competitive Market Access internally through provision of science-based protection measures and internationally through health certification that meets international standards set by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) for the World Trade Organization (WTO) Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary Measures (SPS) Agreement.
Governance Structure(s): The CFIA is the federal lead for delivery of the NAAHP. Respective federal roles and responsibilities are outlined in a MoU. An Executive Steering Committee consists of Director General/Executive Directors from both organizations, who are responsible for strategic direction, monitoring and analysis of NAAHP implementation. The CFIA Director of the Aquatic Animal Health Division (Animal Health Directorate, Policy and Programs Branch) and the DFO Director of Aquatic Animal Health Science Division (Ecosystem Science Branch, Science Sector) are also members of the steering committee.
Stakeholder input on NAAHP development is managed through an Aquatic Animal Health Committee (AAHC), which includes provincial and territorial authorities for aquaculture and wild fisheries management, veterinary association representatives, Aboriginal groups and wild and farmed industry stakeholders.
Progress with NAAHP development and implementation is reported to the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers-CFIA committee (CFIA-CCFAM) and to the Agriculture Federal F/P/T Regulatory ADM committees. Where required, reports are also prepared for the F/P/T Council of Canadian Veterinary Officers and the Policy ADM Committee of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
| Federal Partners | Federal Partner Program Activity (PA) | Names of Programs for Federal Partners | Total Allocation (from Start to End Date) | Planned Spending for 2008-09 |
Actual Spending for 2008-09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CFIA | Animal Health Risks and Production Systems | National Aquatic Animal Health Program | $32.13M over five years (plus $6.35M ongoing) | $6.35M | $3.78M |
| 16a. Expected Result for 2008-09 | Regulatory amendments based on full consultation (F/P/T, Aboriginal Groups and World Trade Organization). | ||||
| 17a. Results Achieved in 2008-09 | Completed consultations and feedback for the proposed regulatory amendment package encompassing import control measures, mandatory & notifiable reporting, emergency response authorities, and provisions for implementation of domestic disease controls. Completed regulatory amendment package including amendments to the Health of Animals Regulations and Ministerial Declaration changes to the Reportable Disease Regulations Completed focus group discussion with Aboriginal Peoples (Assembly of First Nations) in December and a report was generated for the CFIA in March 2009. The Department of Justice and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada consulted on accommodation required for Aboriginal engagement. The 2009-10 Business Plan includes a contingency for Aboriginal engagement. |
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| 16b. Expected Result for 2008-09 | Initiation of discussion on F/P/T MoUs on Emergency Response and delineation of domestic disease control zones. | ||||
| 17b. Results Achieved in 2008-09 | Completed cross-country discussions of the Domestic Disease Control Framework (Emergency Response Plans and Domestic Disease Controls) and reported at the CFIA-CCFAM, CCFAM-Deputy Minister (DM) F/P/T Committees. Case studies were included for feedback from the domestic disease control discussions. F/P/T MoU discussions were not completed. |
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| 16c. Expected Result for 2008-09 | Development of priority policies and procedures required to enforce revised regulations. |
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| 17c. Results Achieved in 2008-09 | Framework decision trees have been completed and set policy and procedure priorities for development have been set. Key policies have been drafted for Import/Export, Surveillance and Domestic Disease Control including Emergency Response, aligned with the Canadian Emergency Management Response System (CEMRS). |
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| 16d. Expected Result for 2008-09 | NAAHP integration into priority IM/IT systems (Shared Information Management System, Automated Import Reference System, Import Control and Tracking System, and the Import Permit System) |
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| 17d. Results Achieved in 2008-09 | DFO and the CFIA continued ongoing collaborative work and communication toward the development of the LIMS. The CFIA is now an active participant in the DFO-led LIMS Working Group. In addition, the submission of sample forms was developed, in collaboration between the CFIA and DFO, for pilot testing and input into the LIMS in 2009-10. The CFIA also identified champions from IM/IT to assist NAAHP integration. A national coordinator position has been created to coordinate NAAHP business requirements and relate them to IM/IT solutions. |
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| 16e. Expected Result for 2008-09 | Training modules for key NAAHP implementation activities. |
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| 17e. Results Achieved in 2008-09 | The Agency continued the development of the National Training Initiative (NTI). Key activities identified for the NTI include cross-sectional work, supporting Import/Export and the identification of new Emergency Response and Surveillance. Subject matter experts have been identified to learn with representatives from the learning division of the CFIA for the NTI. Work also continued on the development of material design of five training modules, as per the stated priority for this division. |
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| Federal Partners | Federal Partner Program Activity (PA) | Names of Programs for Federal Partners | Total Allocation (from Start to End Date) | Planned Spending for 2008-09 |
Actual Spending for 2008-09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DFO | Science (Diagnostics & Research) | National Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory System (NAAHLS) | $26.92M over five years (plus $3.98M ongoing) | $3.98M | $5.70M |
| 16a. Expected Result for 2008-09 | Laboratory standards and tracking systems meet international requirements for audit/challenge of export certificates and/or import controls – International Standards Organization 17025, the main standard used by testing and calibration laboratories. | ||||
| 17a. Results Achieved in 2008-09 | Under the NAAHP, 85 per cent of test method protocols have been developed and undergone analytical (bench) validation for the first round of priority diseases. Seventy-five per cent of tests have undergone diagnostic (field) validation. Approximately 70 per cent of research studies have been completed. With respect to quality assured diagnostic laboratories, all three laboratories have completed approximately 70 per cent of the 230 mandatory requirements necessary for audit/accreditation. Renovations were completed for the Central and Arctic Region (Winnipeg) laboratory. As part of the federal government’s “Investment in Infrastructure”, DFO has received funding for the Gulf Region (Moncton) NAAHP laboratory renovations. DFO will explore options in 2009-10 to construct a new NAAHP laboratory due to logistical challenges with the current heritage facility. |
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| 16b. Expected Result for 2008-09 | Development of a contract for the LIMS and infrastructure to deliver accurate, reliable and quality information in support of testing services for declaration of disease freedom, surveillance of “at risk” populations and management of reportable disease incursions. | ||||
| 17b. Results Achieved in 2008-09 | The LIMS contract has moved forward and the reporting and recording framework has been established. Software for the LIMS purchased in 2007-08 is being modified to become integrated into the DFO NAAHP laboratories’ overall quality control approach. Links to CFIA systems remain under business requirement document solutions analysis and the DFO has strong representation in the IM/IT solution discussions. |
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| 16c. Expected Result for 2008-09 | NAAHP diagnostic support. |
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| 17c. Results Achieved in 2008-09 | Diagnostic support has been provided for Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia, Koi Herpes Virus, Haplosporidium nelsoni, Infectious Salmon Anaemia and other diseases of NAAHP concern. This has supported export certification and surveillance to support zoning and transboundary (Canada-USA; Canada-France [Saint Pierre and Miquelon]) disease control measure negotiations. About 90 per cent of all samples collected were analyzed for disease. The remaining ten per cent of samples could not be analyzed due to inadequate specimen size. |
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| 16d. Expected Result for 2008-09 | NAAHP research support. |
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| 17d. Results Achieved in 2008-09 | Research on viral strains, carrier species and related CFIA regulatory decision-making needs was undertaken. Results are not yet complete, but are anticipated in 2009-10 before regulatory amendments are in place. These results will support transition agreements with provinces and other DFO sectors pending CFIA regulatory operations implementation. Nearly 70 per cent of the scientific research requested to date by the CFIA has been completed. Of the remaining amount, test development and validation projects are multi-year in nature. |
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| Grand Total | $59.05M over 5 years and $10.33M ongoing |
$10.33M |
$9.48M |
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18. Comments on Variances: Delays in NAAHP front-end funding were a key issue as specified in a revised business plan in 2009. In addition, several problems were encountered regarding the securing of specialized and rare expertise to deliver the new area of Veterinary Authority responsibility. Full staffing levels were not attained until late 2006, at which time overall program development and horizontal coordination leadership was able to commence.
19. Results to be achieved by non-federal partners (if applicable): Not applicable.
20. Contact information: Dr. Sharon McGladdery, Director Aquatic Animal Health Division, Animal Health Directorate, Policy and Programs Branch, CFIA (613) 221-1487 or (613) 668-6492. Note: As of July 31, 2009: Dr. Carolyn Inch, A/Director at the same coordinates or c/o Louise LeBrun (613) 221-1472. Dr. Christine Stoneman (613) 990-0361; or Stephen J. Stephen, (613) 990-0292 NAAHP Science, DFO.
3.2.6.2: All Other Horizontal Initiatives
| Initiative | Profile | Results achieved | Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building Public Confidence in Pesticide Regulation and Improving Access to Pest Management Products | This initiative incorporates efforts of six federal government partners to increase public and stakeholder confidence in the pesticide regulatory system, protect public health and the environment and increase the competitiveness of the agri-food and forestry sectors. The CFIA is delivering two of the 13 programs:
A total amount of $5.1 million was allocated to the CFIA to cover these two programs over a seven-year period, beginning in 2002-03 and ending in 2008-09. |
The CFIA enhanced compliance testing in children’s foods. Greater than 98 per cent compliance was found in the randomly selected foods. The small sample size prevented the analysis of trends in commodity, brand name, residue or country of origin. The Agency implemented new inspection programs and updated documents and tools inspectors use in their daily operations to enhance the monitoring and enforcement of pesticide residue limits in fertilizers and pesticide guarantee verification in fertilizer-pesticide combinations. CFIA inspectors were trained on label verification and non-compliance follow-up procedures. Through work with the Pest Management Regulatory Agency, the CFIA also developed and updated the “Compendium of Fertilizer-Use Pesticides” and documentation for amending the Fertilizer Regulations to allow for the Compendium’s publication. |
Lead: Health Canada
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| Public Security and Anti-terrorism (PSAT) Initiative | In the 2001 Budget, the government allocated $7.7 billion in new funds for the PSAT initiative to enhance security for Canadians. As a contributing Agency, the CFIA will:
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The CFIA enhanced capacity to conduct food inspections and to respond to pest and disease outbreaks in both the plant protection and animal health sectors. The Agency has enhanced its overall surveillance and detection activities through:
The CFIA has also enhanced its laboratory capacity and laboratory biosecurity through the development of business continuity plans and containment guidelines and improvement of laboratory infrastructure. |
Lead: Public Safety Canada
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| Avian and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness: Focus on Animal and Human Health Issues | A coordinated and comprehensive plan to address both avian and pandemic influenza was put in place starting in 2006. In 2006, under the umbrella of “Preparing for Emergencies”, the CFIA obtained $195 million over five years to enhance Canada’s state of AI preparedness. Canada’s Avian Influenza Working Group was established in 2006 to update policies, protocols, operating procedures and systems to enhance Canada’s state of preparedness—through collaborations and partnership— in five pillars of strategies and processes:
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Specific project results details are available in Table 7 of the Public Health Agency of Canada’s 2008-09 Performance Report. |
Lead: Public Health Agency of Canada
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| Chemical, Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Research and Technology Initiative (CRTI) | The events of September 11, 2001 moved the issues of counter-terrorism and national security to the forefront of the nation’s concerns. The CRTI represents the federal science community’s response and commitment to providing science solutions to these issues. Through the creation of laboratory networks across the federal government that collaborate with industry, academia and first responder communities, and through key research and technology development initiatives, the CFIA will provide new knowledge, technology and capacity necessary for CBRN prevention, preparedness and response. As well, the CFIA will continue to co-chair the biological cluster of federal laboratories with the PHAC. Current CRTI-related research initiatives include the following:
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In 2008-2009, the CFIA improved the speed of its detection capability for AI and FMD. Research will continue to screen for multiple pathogens simultaneously and to readily cope with the evolution of new variant strains. The CAHSN achieved the following results: Objective: A national early warning surveillance system for animal disease threats to public health and the security of the food supply. Result:
Objective: A federal-provincial laboratory network for the rapid diagnosis of serious infectious animal diseases. Result:
Objective: An information-sharing network linking federal and provincial agencies and departments of animal and human health. Result:
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Lead: National Defence
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| Canadian Regulatory System for Biotechnology (CRSB) | The CRSB aims to develop an efficient, credible and well-respected regulatory system that safeguards the health of all Canadians and the environment and permits safe and effective products. It does this by enhancing human resource capacity, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the regulatory system, improving transparency and public awareness and increasing knowledge to improve decision-making. The CRSB will also continue to provide a bridge to adapt to emerging novel applications of biotechnology, as guided by the CDSR principles and by a strengthened horizontal governance mechanism for shared regulatory policy development and decision-making. |
The efficiency and effectiveness of the regulatory system has been improved with respect to horizontal governance of novel applications of biotechnology. |
Lead: Rotating (2008-2009 Health Canada)
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| Growing Forward – Food Safety System Recognition (The CFIA established a MoU with AAFC). | The Food Safety System Recognition initiative will provide government recognition of on-farm and post-farm food safety systems developed by national industry organizations. The CFIA will continue the development and delivery of food safety system recognition programs and provide scientific and technical advice to support Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)-based food safety system development.44 The four elements of this initiative are: |
A. On-Farm Food Safety Recognition Program
B. Post-Farm Food Safety Recognition Program
C. Scientific and technical support
D. Other activities in support of food safety system development
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Lead: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada |