Notice to industry regulated by the CFIA
In recent days, the CFIA has received many requests from industry to have its inspectors and officials sign various documents, such as Visitor Request Forms and Covid-19 Screening Forms, before entering its facilities. Inspectors have also received requests from industry to follow specific directives before entering a place for inspection. As you are aware, CFIA officials are not present at establishments as “visitors” but as inspectors under CFIA legislation that allows them to enter any place in which they have reasonable grounds to believe that an activity regulated by CFIA legislation is conducted, for the purpose of verifying compliance and/or preventing non-compliance.
Please note that CFIA employees are not in a position to sign Covid-19 Screening Forms or similar documents, or to be directed by industry. CFIA employees are required to follow the policies, procedures and terms of employment established by their employer, the CFIA. Additionally, CFIA inspectors are not obligated to share personal information with regulated parties regarding their personal travels or health conditions.
The CFIA understands the concerns of industry with respect to Covid-19 and the exceptional circumstances that currently exist. The purpose of this Notice is to inform regulated parties of some of the measures that it has put in place regarding the Covid-19 situation. These measures are informed by the CFIA’s obligations regarding the health and safety of its employees, which derive from federal legislation, that is, the Canada Labour Code, Part II, and the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. Regarding the Covid-19 situation, the CFIA is also taking into consideration the advice and recommendations of the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada and Treasury Board.
Additional information is available on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.