1.

Notifying Member: Canada

If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):

2.

Agency responsible: Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers, email and website addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above:

Canada's Notification Authority and Enquiry Point

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada

Technical Barriers and Regulations Division (TIB)

111 Sussex Drive

Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2

Canada

Telephone: (343)203-4273

Fax: (613)943-0346

Email: enquirypoint@international.gc.ca

3.

Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [ ], 5.6.2 [ ], 5.7.1 [ ], other:

4.

Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): Food intended for human consumption (ICS: 67.040)

5.

Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document: Options for Reducing Burden for Micro and Small Businesses (12 pages, in English; 14 pages, in French)

6.

Description of content: In response to comments received during consultations on A New Regulatory Framework for Federal Food Inspection: Overview of Proposed Regulations (G/SPS/N/CAN/700/Rev.1 notified on 5 June 2014), Canada has released a discussion paper: Options for Reducing Burden for Micro and Small Businesses.

This discussion paper is aimed at bettering the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) understanding of the food safety challenges and costs that micro and small businesses face, and to seek their feedback on options that could reduce the burden associated with certain requirements. The CFIA is also interested in hearing about the types of tools, guidance resources and support that would assist these businesses in producing safe and compliant food. Small businesses are those that generate $100,000 or less in annual food gross sales. Microbusinesses have annual food gross sales of $30,000 or less.

Current options in consideration for reducing burden include:

·                Full or partial exemptions from certain requirements (where safety is not impacted)

·                Cost accommodation

·                Additional time to comply with requirements

Responses received as a result of this consultation will be considered in the proposed regulations under the Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA) and pre-published with an additional opportunity to provide comments.

7.

Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable: To seek feedback on options to small and micro businesses that could reduce the burden associated with certain requirements proposed in regulations under the Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA)

8.

Relevant documents: A New Regulatory Framework for Federal Food Inspection: Overview of Proposed Regulations:

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/accountability/consultations/federal-food-inspection/eng/1400782729114/1400782730114 (English)

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/au-sujet-de-l-acia/responsabilisation/consultations/inspection-federale-des-aliments/fra/1400782729114/1400782730114 (French)

9.

Proposed date of adoption: To be determined

Proposed date of entry into force: To be determined

10.

Final date for comments: 30 June 2015

11.

Texts available from: National enquiry point [X] or address, telephone and fax numbers and email and website addresses, if available, of other body:

The electronic version of the consultation can be downloaded at:

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/acts-and-regulations/regulatory-initiatives/sfca/food-safety-systems/consultation/new-regulatory-framework/eng/1426532864329/1426532917582

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/au-sujet-de-l-acia/lois-et-reglements/initiatives-reglementaires/lsac/systemes-de-salubrite-des-aliments/consultations/nouveau-cadre-de-reglementation/fra/1426532864329/1426532917582