The Canadian Federation of Independent Business has just released its "CFIA Report Card, asmall business assessment of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency".

Highlights of the report say that

• Nearly two-thirds of businesses in the food production industry report the burden of CFIA regulations has increased in the past three years.

• CFIA regulations impacts small businesses through lost productivity and add significant streaa for those that deal with them.

• The average business interacting with the CFIA commits over 29 days per year to comply with CFIA regulations.

• The average business interacting with the CFIA spend over $19,000 per year to comply with CFIA regulations.

• Only one in five businesses believe the CFIA provides good overall service.

• Poorest service ratings were reported to be frequency of regulation changes, consistency, and fairness of penalty labels.

• The CFIA could significantly improve its communication with the small business community.

• CFIA inspectors received more favourable results than the CFIA as an organization.

The full report is attached. More information can be found at www.cfib.ca.

'CFIA REPORT BY CANADIAN FED.pdf'