CTA Discusses Transporter Responsibility in Comments on CFIA’s Proposed Traceability Legislation

In its comments to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) A Legislative Framework for Traceability: Proposed Elements the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) offered its support for the consultative process CFIA has stated it will implement as traceability regulations are developed, as well as CFIA’s promise to implement these regulations in a phased-in manner. CTA explained its support for the traceability initiative in principle, as improved information on animals transported will assist transporters in fulfilling their duties to provide safe and secure transport. However, CTA reiterated concerns regarding responsibility for ensuring animals are properly tagged before transport; in order for the trucking industry to fully support traceability, responsibility for ensuring animals that are transported are bearing proper tags must fall with those responsible for initial tagging, not the transporter. CTA is working with CFIA on this issue and continues to provide input as traceability regulations are developed.