Agriculture committee  Thank you very much for the question. Indeed, the approach we take with other countries is similar to that with the U.S., where we undertake formal audits and assess the ability of the competent authority in that country to provide an oversight that we consider to be equivalent to what we undertake in Canada.

Agriculture committee  I can start, and Brian might wish to add. The science-based approach is critical, because countries may take different views in terms of their trade policy, but the science is the science. When we found our decision-making on the science, we establish a basis of communication that is consistent across borders.

Agriculture committee  Responding to situations where Canadian exporters experience challenge, we see it as very much a part of our role when those challenges are related to sanitary or phytosanitary measures. In the examples that you describe, we absolutely believe we have a role, because it speaks to the credibility of our system.

Agriculture committee  Mr. Chairman, it's important when one considers inspector numbers to understand the agency's operating parameters. We cover plants that slaughter more than one species. We, in terms of our coverage at meat processing, cover plants that handle much more than just beef. Our focus is to ensure that we have the right inspection staff to cover the food safety requirements of Canada.

Agriculture committee  Most certainly not. We do take a risk-based approach, and so in our risk-based approach we take account of compliance history and areas of prior challenge. In managing those issues, if we see repeated areas of non-compliance, we will work with the country to improve the compliance outcome.

Agriculture committee  I thank the honourable member for the question. The control around approved products in Canada rests with our colleagues at Health Canada. However, in terms of our oversight responsibility at the CFIA, it focuses on the food product. Canada does not determine what another country might do in terms of the product it chooses to approve; however, for products that are not permitted in Canada, Health Canada, in addition to making their decision, establishes what is called a maximum residue limit.

Agriculture committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. The control of veterinary drugs in horses for slaughter operates on the same basis as the control of drug residues in other meats. We operate a testing program. The drugs that you mentioned are part of that testing program. In fact, in the testing that we've undertaken we have an extremely high level of compliance--100% compliance--in relation to those banned substances.

Agriculture committee  Our approach very much takes multiple layers. First, at the international level we work within the Codex Alimentarius so the international standards that govern food safety and foods traded internationally are consistent, and the interpretation of those standards in their application is consistent.

Agriculture committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Again, that is an important question. The same holds for meat as Brian described for other foods. They are indeed subject to the same requirements as domestic products, both in terms of the Meat Inspection Act and the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act.

Agriculture committee  Merci. Indeed, we completely agree in terms of the issue of reciprocity. In fact, it is a fundamental expectation within our system that products imported to Canada meet Canadian requirements: those same requirements that our domestic producers have to meet. With your indulgence, Mr.

Agriculture committee  It was a comprehensive review.

Agriculture committee  It was not a formal audit.

Agriculture committee  A comprehensive--

Agriculture committee  A comprehensive review was indeed undertaken. It was not an audit.

Agriculture committee  Thank you very much. The Weatherill report did recommend that CFIA retain third party experts to conduct a review. In order to ensure that there was an independent and comprehensive review, we did indeed collaborate with our colleagues in Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. In fact, it was Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada that then coordinated complementary initiatives that reviewed design implementation and resourcing of CVS.