Farm-Scape is sponsored by Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork Play Audio Farm-Scape is a Wonderworks Canada production and is distributed courtesy of Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork.

Farm-Scape, Episode 1400

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says modifications to new US anti-bioterrorism legislation promise to make compliance by those affected in Canada much easier.

The new US Bioterrorism Preparedness Act is scheduled to take effect Friday and includes two key requirements.

Canadian facilities that manufacture, process, pack or hold food or animal feed destined for consumption in the United States must be registered with the US Food and Drug Administration.

As well, prior notification of the arrival of food and feed exports must be provided. CFIA International Affairs Representative Sharon Flack says US FDA has modified the proposed rule to make it easier for Canadian exporters.

"Our exporters can use the US custom broker system to enter information both for customs purposes as well as for this new prior notice regulation.

Having one entry point for both sets of information, for customs and for food and drug, will make it much easier for our exporters.

They are already used to using the US custom brokers. It is providing adequate information obviously to the US custom broker who will then enter this information into the system which will be flagged both to the FDA and to customs.

Upon receipt of that information the Food and Drug Administration will actually issue a prior notice confirmation number and it is this number that must accompany the live animals or the shipment of products through to customs.

That is what they'll be looking for, the prior notice confirmation number".

Flack says the US FDA and Customs have indicated it's their intent to do enforcement based on education and awareness through the initial period of implementation.

She says that will hopefully avoid delays as a result of the new rules while those affected become familiar with their requirements.

For Farmscape.Ca, I'm Bruce Cochrane.