1545 Carling Avenue, Suite 407 Ottawa, ON K1Z 8P9 Tel: (613) 729-3911 Fax: (613) 729-4997 Web: www.cmc-cvc.com BULLETIN October 2011 TABLE OF CONTENTS Technical Symposium ...... 1 Comingling of US and Canadian Pork for Re- Agenda ...... 2 export ...... 14 Staffing Update...... 8 Next Meeting ...... 15 New Government and Media Relations Director 8 Regulatory Update...... 15 Staff Change at the Canadian Meat Council ...... 9 Meat Hygiene Pilot Project ...... 15 Board of Directors Meeting with the Canadian Working Group on Evaluation of Incidental Food Inspection Agency ...... 10 Additives ...... 16 North American Regulatory Cooperation New Members ...... 17 Meeting ...... 10 Social Activities ...... 18 Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness 17th Annual Sheep’s Head Fishing Derby ...... 18 Report ...... 11 20th Annual Invitational Golf Tournament ...... 19 Beef Committee ...... 12 Terry Fox Run BBQ ...... 20 Enhanced Feed Ban - Roadmap and 2012 Canadian Cattlemen’s Association Fall Picnic . 20 review ...... 12 Technical Update ...... 21 Chinese Market ...... 12 Priority Interventions ...... 21 BCTAG ...... 13 E.Coli ...... 21 Yield Grading ...... 13 Mercury Project in Quebec ...... 22 Camera Technology for Grading ...... 13 Pathogens Reduction: Explore a baseline for USDA Proposed Rule - Non-0157 STEC ...... 13 pathogens ie: Listeria ...... 23 Next Meeting ...... 14 Animal Welfare ...... 23 Pork Committee ...... 14 Animal Care Assessment Model ...... 24 National Pork Marketing Meeting ...... 14 Upcoming Technical Events ...... 26 Recommended Cooking Temperature for Whole Events Calendar ...... 27 Muscle Cuts of Pork ...... 14 Staff Contact Information ...... 28 TECHNICAL SYMPOSIUM ON PATHOGEN REDUCTION
Don’t miss your chance to participate in the Canadian Meat Council’s Technical Symposium on Pathogen Reduction being held October 6 - 7, 2011 at the Sheraton Gateway, Toronto Airport. The program will offer a description of the main pathogens detected in meat and poultry, the effect of these pathogens in the human health and their prevalence in Canada, the initiatives to reduce pathogens in Canada, the United States and other countries, the best sanitation practices, the sanitary equipment design and the antibiotic resistance in Canada, the United States and the European Union.
The Symposium Agenda can be found in the following pages, and Registration forms for participants, exhibitors and sponsors can be found at: http://www.cmc-cvc.com Canadian Meat Council Bulletin - October 2011 Page 1
TECHNICAL SYMPOSIUM PATHOGEN REDUCTION 2011 OCTOBER 6 – 7 SHERATON GATEWAY, TORONTO AIRPORT HOTEL
SPONSORED BY:
Canadian Meat Council Bulletin - October 2011 Page 2
AGENDA
Thursday, October 6, 2011 7:30 – 8:00 am Registration, Coffee & muffins
8:00 – 8:10 am Welcome Address '+ 51 6#!32'4#'0#!2-0 , "' ,# 2-3,!'* 8:10 – 8:45 am Campylobacter jejuni in the food chain: an integrated approach *#6 ,"0#&' -"# 3 -!2-0 2#! ,"'" 2# !3*27-$ #2#0', 07#"'!',# !,'4#01'27-$-,20# * , " 8:45 9:00 am 6&' '2-0SS 9:00 – 9:35 am Salmonella control in food animals. 0T,"0'( , & ('!Q Q(!Q)& (#,'-0 .'"#+'-*-%'12 ,""(3,!2)0-$#11-0 (!'#,!#2-)-*'!7'4'1'-, -0 2-07$-0 --" -0,#,--,-1#1 )3 *'!-# *2&%#,!7-$ , " 9:35 9:50 am Exhibitor 2: Antimicrobial Solutions for Meat 9:50 – 10:05 am Coffee break
Canadian Meat Council Bulletin - October 2011 Page 3
10:05 – 10:45 am E. Coli 0T&-%#0-&,1-, # 0!&(!'#,2'12 -0 2-07$-0 --" -0,#,--,-1#1 )3 *'!-# *2&%#,!7-$ , " T 10:45 11:25 am Listeria monocytogenes– Challenges in retail delis 0T- *#7.*'4#0 11-!' 2#)0-$#11-0', --"(!'#,!# )30"3#!,'4#01'27Q!( 11:25 am 12:10 pm Human infections of Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli and Listeria in Canada. 0T 0 ,))-** 0' ,2#0'!1(304#'** ,!# ,")-.3* 2'-,(23"'#1 #,20#$-0 --"V -0,#Q ,4'0-,+#,2 * ,",--,-2'! 1,$#!2'-31'1# 1#1Q)3 *'!-# *2&%#,!7-$ , " T 12:10 1:10 pm Luncheon – 1:10 1:45 pm Pathogen reduction initiative for Canada ,,#V 0'#(2V 30#,2 '0#!2-0-$ --"( $#27'4'1'-, , "' , --"1,1.#!2'-,%#,!7 1 1:45 2:25 pm Pathogen reduction initiatives in the United States 0T ,'#* ,%#*(-&, --"( $#27 ,"1,1.#!2'-,(#04'!#!(T !( 2:25 3:05 pm The use of antimicrobial chemicals as food additives or as Processing aids. Comparison with practices applied in the US. ) 3*-#4#, (!'#,2'$'! 4 *3 2-0Q --"""'2'4#1(#!2'-, &#+'! *-# *2&- 8 0"11#11+#,2'4'1'-, -# *2&)0-"3!21 ," --"50 ,!& -# *2& , " Canadian Meat Council Bulletin - October 2011 Page 4
3:20 3:35 pm Exhibitor 3: 3:35 4:15 pm A new proactive approach for enhanced microbial risk man agement and control 0T(&3&#, # 0!&(!'#,2'12 , %#0 !,'4#01'27-$63#*.&Q%0'!3*230# --" -0 2-07 , " 4:15 4:30 pm Industry testing for E. Coli O157:H7 (Canada). , "' ,# 2-3,!'* 4:30 4:45 pm Exhibitor 4: 4:45 5:00 pm Industry testing for Listeria (Canada) 0T#045 )#0 , "' ,# 2-3,!'* 5:00 7:00 pm Wine & meat reception exhibitor showcase
Canadian Meat Council Bulletin - October 2011 Page 5
Friday, October 7, 2011 7:30 8:00 am Continental Breakfast 8:00 8:40 am Global perspective of antimicrobial resistance (!-22T50-5, (#,'-0'0#!2-0Q#2 -*'1+ ( $#27 )$'8#0,'+ *-# *2& .,5#& *$-$1,2#0, 2'-, * #"#0 2'-,$-0,'+ *-# *2& 8:40 8:55 am Exhibitor 5: 8:55 9:35 am Multi Drug Resistant Salmonella in beef: Prevalence, source and control 0T-& ++ "8--&+ 0 '# .Q1 - -0 2-0'#1 -,13*2',%60-3. # 2'4'1'-, !( 9:35 9:50 am Exhibitor 6: 9:50 10:05 am Coffee break 10:05 10:40 am Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance in Canada 0T&# #!! 105', '0#!2-0Q -0 2-07$-0$--" -0,#8--,-1# , "' , 1,2#%0 2#" )0-%0 + $-0 ,2'+'!0- ' * '12 ,!# (304#'** ,!#1)&( )3 *'!-# *2&%#,!7-$ , "
Canadian Meat Council Bulletin - October 2011 Page 6
10:40 11:20 am Sanitation Practices -#(2-32 -++#0!' * --"( ,'2 2'-,Q !( 11:20 11:35 am Exhibitor 7: 11:35 12:15 pm Sanitary Equipment Design -#(2-32 -++#0!' * --"( ,'2 2'-,Q !( 12:15 12:30 pm Evaluation Form Grand Prize Draw 12:30 pm Adjourn
Canadian Meat Council Bulletin - October 2011 Page 7
STAFFING UPDATE
New Government and Media Relations Director
Ron Davidson
The Canadian Meat Council, Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors Council and Further Poultry Processors Association of Canada are pleased to announce the appointment of Ron Davidson as Director, Government and Media Relations. Previously, Ron was Senior Liaison Officer, Government Affairs, for the Canadian Wheat Board. He has held senior positions in Canada and abroad with the Departments of Agriculture and Agri- Food Canada and Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada during which key responsibilities included international market development, international trade policy and technical barriers to trade, including sanitary and phytosanitary regulations and standards.
Exceeding $21 billion in annual sales, processors and further processors of beef, veal, lamb, pork, poultry and eggs constitute the largest segment of Canada’s food processing industry.
Canadian Meat Council Bulletin - October 2011 Page 8
STAFFING UPDATE
Staff Change at the Canadian Meat Council
Our Manager of Regulatory Affairs, Margo Ladouceur, has tendered her resignation from the Canadian Meat Council. Margo has accepted a position right next door with the Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors Council as their new Egg Sector Manager. This position is a promotion for Margo with significant responsibilities.
Margo has been with the Canadian Meat Council almost 7 years. She started with us as a summer student. We were impressed with her work so we offered her a position straight out of the University of Ottawa when she graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Biology.
Margo’s first day with the Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors Council will be Monday October 17, 2011. We wish Margo all the best as she starts her new position with our Association Synergy Partner. With the Strategic review of the Canadian Meat Council and our overall business plan and mandate now underway we may “delay” hiring Margo’s replacement until we have a very clear picture of what kind of priorities we will have over the next few years. We will do our best to continue to provide service to the Beef and Pork Committees in the meantime.
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
The House of Commons resumed on Monday, September 19, 2011. This is the 41st Parliament, 1st Session.
The Senate is adjourned until Tuesday, September 27, 2011.
For updates visit http://www.parl.gc.ca.
For live web cast- in audio and video format visit http://parlvu.parl.gc.ca/parlvu/.
Canadian Meat Council Bulletin - October 2011 Page 9
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING WITH THE CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY
The Board of Directors of the Canadian Meat Council met in Ottawa on Thursday September 8, 2011 with the President of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Mr. George Da Pont and his senior management team.
We were particularly pleased during the meeting to hear that many of the regulatory changes that we have been seeking for several years may now be soon moving through the public regulatory review process. Changes to Meat Inspection Regulations 92, 94 and 110 are anticipated. We very much appreciated that so many of the CFIA senior staff were available to meet with us. It was noted that the senior management of Health Canada were not able to join us at this meeting but it is hoped that they will respond favourably to our invitation to the next meeting that will be held on March 9, 2012.
As we reported to you in the last Canadian Meat Council Bulletin, the Board of Directors did agree that it was time for an updated long range strategic plan for the Canadian Meat Council. Since then, request for proposals were sent out and an independent facilitator has been selected. Mary Lynn McPherson from a company called Strive has been hired to assist with the process and consultations will be taking place with the membership of the Canadian Meat Council through the Technical, Beef, Pork and Associate Member committees. Meetings have been scheduled for Wednesday October 5, 2011 at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel at Terminal 3 Toronto Pearson Airport.
In addition to these in person meetings an invitation will be sent out to all members to participate in an on line confidential survey. We encourage you to participate in the survey if you can. All the comments will be compiled by Strive and your feedback remains anonymous. The Board of Directors greatly appreciates your input so they can use that information for their strategic planning session that is scheduled for December 7, 2011 in Toronto.
NORTH AMERICAN REGULATORY COOPERATION MEETING
Executive Director Jim Laws attended a meeting in Washington on August 29, 2011 to discuss cooperation amongst North American regulators. Along with other industry
Canadian Meat Council Bulletin - October 2011 Page 10 association leaders from Canada, US and Mexico the meeting was held jointly with government officials from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, United States Department of Agriculture and Mexican government officials. Several issues were discussed such as reduction or elimination of re-inspection of meat at the border, mutual recognition of each country’s antimicrobials, elimination of the Canadian government requirement to have a veterinarian sign meat export certificates rather than simply a “qualified official government representative”.
PERIMETER SECURITY AND ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS REPORT
In February of 2011 Primer Minister Harper and President Obama announced the creation of a Regulatory Cooperation Council and a Border Security Initiative between Canada and the United States.
The Canadian Meat Council submitted 6 recommendations to the Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) public consultation process.
We were pleased to have been recently informed that the public release of a Regulatory Cooperation Council consultations summary report by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable John Baird. The document, entitled What Canadians Told Us: A Report on Consultations on Regulatory Cooperation Between Canada and the United States, was released on August 29 and is available electronically at http:// www.borderactionplan-plandactionfrontalier.gc.ca/psec- scep/RCC_Consultations_Report- Rapport_sur_les_consultations_du_CCR.aspx?lang=eng
The input of stakeholders (individuals and organizations alike), in concert with ongoing collaborative work with our American counterparts, will lead to the release of an initial RCC Joint Action Plan in the near future. Be assured that as the work of the RCC continues, there will be ongoing opportunities for stakeholder input.
Canadian Meat Council Bulletin - October 2011 Page 11
BEEF COMMITTEE
Enhanced Feed Ban – Roadmap and 2012 Review
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has begun consultations with industry as it reviews the BSE Roadmap and the 2012 review of the Enhanced Feed Ban since its implementation in 2007.
CFIA has noted that a fundamental question that industry must consider is the desired direction of the Enhanced Feed Ban. The choices given are to continue to work towards the negligible risk OIE designation, which would take time and would mean maintaining current controls; or to decide that customer demands are more important than the OIE designation, and decrease controls to match those of the US while still maintaining access to key markets.
A decision document was circulated to the Beef Committee in August, as a means to determine the official position of the committee. The options provided were as follows:
1. Do nothing. Adopt the position deemed the best path forward by CFIA following their 2012 review. 2. Encourage the CFIA to maintain the current regulations which call for “full specified risk material removal”, understanding that there will likely be no extension to the Abattoir Competitiveness Program. 3. Lobby for a change to the “partial specified risk material removal”, understanding that Canada’s OIE status for BSE will likely remain as a controlled risk for a longer period.
This decision document will be further discussed at the October meeting of the Beef Committee.
Chinese Market
The Government of Canada is working to expand beef access to China to a greater number of establishments. Members have been contacted and a list submitted to the Government. If any establishments are interested in shipping boneless UTM beef to China but do not think they were included on this list, please contact the Canadian Meat Council office.
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BCTAG
The Beef Committee has elected Mike Kennedy from Cargill Meat Solutions as a new representative to the Beef and Cattle Trade Advisory Group (BCTAG). He joins Brian Read of XL Foods Inc. as our representatives on this group.
Yield Grading
The Canadian Meat Council, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, and National Cattle Feeder’s Association signed a joint letter in August requesting that the Minister of Agriculture review the current grading regulations. The three organizations have agreed that moving to the US system for yield grades and the US yield grade equation would allow for greater differentiation among carcasses and provide more information to producers on the cattle they produce. The next step will be to hold a meeting between the three organizations and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Camera Technology for Grading
The use of camera technology for grading of beef carcasses has been approved at XL Foods Inc. The Canadian beef industry has been working towards the approval of the camera technology for some time, and this is the first plant at which this was achieved. This is an exciting development for the Canadian beef industry and the hard work of all involved should be recognized.
USDA Proposed Rule – Non-O157 STEC
The USDA has published a proposed rule that would declare six non-O157 E. coli strains as adulterants in certain raw beef products. The rules would go into effect in March 2012. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has yet to comment on this rule.
To read the complete rule, please see the following link: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Frame/FrameRedirect.asp?main=http://www.fsis.usda.gov/ OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/2010-0023.htm
Canadian Meat Council Bulletin - October 2011 Page 13
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Beef Committee will be held on Wednesday, October 5 at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, Toronto International Airport. The committee will have the opportunity to share their views on the direction of the Beef Committee as well as dis- cuss regular committee business.
PORK COMMITTEE
National Pork Marketing Strategy
Discussions with Canada Pork International and the Canadian Pork Council with re- gards to the National Pork Marketing Strategy are ongoing. In June, the Pork Commit- tee voted in favour of the strategy in principle, with the caveat that further discussion around funding and personnel would be required. The working group that developed the initial proposal is in the process of producing a document with more detail on the strategy and anticipated outcomes. This will be distributed to the Pork Committee, and at that time, the committee will be asked to commit to funding the strategy.
Recommended Cooking Temperature for Whole Muscle Cuts of Pork
The United States Department of Agriculture recently amended their recommended cooking temperature for whole muscle cuts of pork. The temperature has been low- ered from 160 °F (71 °C) to 145 °F (63 °C), along with a three minute rest time. The USDA statement notes that research supports the safety of pork products cooked ac- cording to these instructions. Recommended cooking temperature of ground pork products remains at 160 °F (71 °C).
A decision document was distributed to the Pork Committee to seek the committee’s views on next steps in Canada. The committee consensus was that the Canadian rec- ommended cooking temperatures should be equivalent with those in the US. The next steps will be to work with other stakeholders and begin lobbying for this equivalency.
Comingling of US and Canadian Pork for Re-export
The Canadian Meat Council recently sent a letter to the CFIA requesting that they change current regulations to allow for the comingling of US and Canadian pork for
Canadian Meat Council Bulletin - October 2011 Page 14 re-export to certain markets, primarily Australia. CFIA provided an informal update that the request has been communicated to their Australian counterparts, and they are still awaiting a response.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Pork Committee will be held on Wednesday, October 5 at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, Toronto International Airport. The committee will have the opportunity to share their views on the direction of the Pork Committee as well as dis- cuss regular committee business.
REGULATORY UPDATE
Meat Hygiene Pilot Project Progress continues on the Meat Hygiene Pilot Project, the project designed to assist provincially inspected plants to move up to the federal level and trade interprovincially. In the short term, CFIA plans to publish four Meat Hygiene Directives, covering the fol- lowing areas.
Chapter 3 of the Meat Hygiene Manual of Procedures: ZNew annex at the back of Chapter 3, designed for small slaughter establishments ZChanges to blueprint requirements; less prescriptive inspection station size; flexibil- ity on inspection offices; less prescriptive light intensity; permitting retail outlets as long as appropriate controls are in place; flexibility on flooring materials.
Chapter 17, 19 of the Meat Hygiene Manual of Procedures: ZMainly editorial changes and alignment with the changes in Chapter 3.
On September 1, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency published the first of the se- ries of Meat Hygiene Directives, with the following amendments to Chapter 4: 1. Structure changes of chapter, such as a new glossary at the beginning and restruc- tured sections of the chapter. 2. Detailed requirements for specific control programs are removed, e.g. room tem- perature exemptions and packaging procedures. 3. New sections such as Casings, Emulsification, Tumbling and Massaging. http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/meavia/man/direct/2011/direct42e.shtml
Canadian Meat Council Bulletin - October 2011 Page 15
As part of the pilot project, some regulatory amendments are planned. Since premarket registration is an issue for large federally registered establishments, it will also be an irritant for smaller establishments. For this reason, CFIA will be proposing a regulatory change for the premarket registration of packaging materials, construction materials, and non-food chemicals (Meat Inspection Regulation 92). In place of premarket registration, CFIA is proposing an outcome based approach where it will be incumbent on the operator to use safe materials and be able to prove it to an inspector if required. CFIA will also be proposing that premarket label registration no longer be required, though inspectors may verify labels at the plant (Meat Inspection Regulation 110). It’s proposed that premarket approval still be available on a voluntary basis. This would apply to imports as well.
Working Group on Evaluation of Incidental Additives
The Canadian Meat Council continues to participate on the working group noted above along with the Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors Council, the Canadian Animal Health Institute, the Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association, Health Canada, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The aim of the working group is to find areas of improvement for the current approval process for incidental additives. The terms of reference have been finalized and meetings have been scheduled for October.
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NEW MEMBERS
Regular Member
Bonte Foods Limited
Bonte Foods Limited is a federally inspected HACCP certified meat plant that sells its products across Canada. Bonte is one of the country’s largest producer’s of meat cones - both Gyros and Donair. The product list has grown to include additional donair products, pepperoni, salami, beef briskets, gyros, cones and loaves, tzatziki sauce, pita bread, bagels, airline meals, sandwiches, donair and pizza sauce. Their plant is located in Dieppe, New Brunswick.
Contact: Barbara Ann O’Brien, Vice President 615 Champlain St. Dieppe, New Brunswick, E1A 7Z7 (506) 867-0739 www.bonte.ca
Associate Member
Industries Riopel Inc. INDUSTRIES RIOPEL INC.
Fabrication of slaughterhouse and cutting room equipment. Design development plans.
Contact: Rocky Lessard, Executive Director 425 Chemin de l’Écore, Vallée-Jonction, Québec, G0S 3J0 (418) 253-5444 www.industriesriopel.com
Canadian Meat Council Bulletin - October 2011 Page 17
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
17th Annual Sheep’s Head Fishing Derby
The 17th Annual Sheep’s Head Fishing Derby took place on Friday, August 12 in Port Credit on Lake Ontario. The derby was another success with a total of 15 participants. The sun was shining, the lake was calm and the fish were biting. All participants enjoyed an early breakfast, fun fishing in the sun and then a great mid-afternoon lunch at the Brogue Inn. The Derby winners were as follows:
Heaviest Fish Award - Brian Grace: MacGregors Meat & Seafood - 24 lb. Chinook Salmon
Heaviest Rainbow Trout - Stan Drabkin: Viscofan Canada - 12.5 lbs.
Heaviest Coho Salmon - John Huber: Maple Leaf - 9 lbs.
Heaviest Brown Trout - Don Rasmussen: Cryovac - Sealed Air - 4 lbs.
Heaviest Total Weight Per Boat (Eugin Szin Memorial Trophy) - Rod Wrestler: Brittany Livingston (Canadian Meat Council), Stan Drabkin (Viscofan), Joseph Accardi (Cryovac) and Don Rasmussen (Cryovac) - 62 lbs.
The Canadian Meat Council Sheep’s Head Fishing Derby is an annual event run by the Special Events Committee of the Canadian Meat Council.
Canadian Meat Council Bulletin - October 2011 Page 18
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Canadian Meat Invitational Golf Tournament
The 20th Annual Canadian Meat Invitational Golf Tournament was held on Friday September 9, 2011 at the Deer Creek Golf Course in Ajax, Ontario. Over 250 golfers participated in this year’s event. Thank you to the participants, volunteers and sponsors who helped make the event a success!
This year’s winning team finished with a score of (-15): Don Davidson, Maple Leaf Consumer Foods Troy Warren, Maple Leaf Consumer Foods Steve Ingram, Maple Leaf Consumer Foods Iain Stewart, Maple Leaf Consumer Foods
Winners of the other special holes:
Longest putt: Keith Dunnett (Loco Cos), Mykl Walderman (Belmont Meats) and Doris Valade (Malabar Super Spice)
Longest drive: Cory Clark (Springers Meats), Joe Massey (Eastern Meat Solutions), Tracey Moore-Harrison (Maple Leaf) and Samantha Rosen (Erie Meats)
Closest to the pin: Nick Dunn (Ecolab) and Joe Massey (Eastern Meat Solutions)
50/50 draw winner: Anthony Petronaci - Ryding Regency
Pictures of the event are now available for download on our website in the member login section at: www.cmc-cvc.com/english/index_e.asp
Canadian Meat Council Bulletin - October 2011 Page 19
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Terry Fox BBQ
For the sixth year in a row the Canadian Meat Council hosted the BBQ at the Ottawa Terry Fox Run. Sunday September 18, 2011 marked the Above: Canadian 31st anniversary of the Terry Fox Run. The Run is Meat Council Staff an event that takes place in hundreds of cities and with Lucy van towns across Canada and around the world. We Oldenbarnevelt, the host of CBC News served pre-cooked burgers and sausages and Ottawa and the raised just over $1,600 from our sales. The entire Honorary Host of proceeds were donated to the Terry Fox the Ottawa Terry Fox event. Foundation on behalf of Canada’s meat industry. Left: A happy Canadian Cattlemen’s Association Annual Fall customer Picnic
The Annual Canadian Cattlemen’s Association Picnic BBQ on Parliament Hill was held yesterday in the courtyard of the East Bloc under a beautiful September sunny sky. Many Members of Parliament turned out for the event that started at 11 am and ended around 2 pm. The Minister of Agriculture made an announcement about the resumption in trade of ruminant blood meal to the United States (cut off since 2003…) and announced funding for a new diagnostic test for bovine tuberculosis (TB) in cattle that will be simpler and more cost-effective for regulatory agencies to administer with financing of $350,000. The Canadian Meat Council sponsored the meat at the event. Minister Ritz, Minister of Agriculture along with Past President Brian Read and Executive Director Jim Laws Manager of Member Services Brittany Livingston with MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan
Canadian Meat Council Bulletin - October 2011 Page 20
TECHNICAL UPDATE
Priority interventions
The Canadian Meat Council prepared a letter with a list of food safety priority interventions needed for the industry and the approval processes that need to be streamlined to maintain competitiveness and have quicker access to new technologies. The letter was submitted to John Lynch, executive director of food safety from CFIA and copied to Samuel Godefroy, Director General of Health Canada. In brief, the interventions that should be approved for use in Canada refer to all the antimicrobials approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) (high priority: lauric arginate, nisin and citrilow), sodium and potassium lactates added to uncooked meat and poultry, high pressure processing technology (other faces of this technology) and considering irradiation of carcass and ground beef (using electron-beam irradiation) as an alternative. Likewise, in order to improve food safety in our industry, certain processes need to be revised to make them more efficient. These processes include the approval timelines of using rapid science- based products or methods for microbial diagnostics and the approval of food additives/preservatives.
In the following days, Mr. Lynch has replied with a progress report of the first list submitted. Also he mentioned that they are currently in discussion on mechanisms to accept, at least on an interim basis, until Canadian reviews are completed, certain products that have already been reviewed, accepted and are in use in other jurisdictions with similar food safety systems, most notably the USA. If successful, this should speed up the access to such products substantially.
Mr. Lynch has also suggested that it may be worthwhile to organize a smaller technical meeting with CFIA and Health Canada colleagues to consider some of the issues identified in the letter in more detail.
E. coli
In August 17-18, the North American Meat Processors Association (NAMP) organized the E. coli conference in Chicago, USA. The conferences presented reflected the needs of processors to stay on top of the latest science and policy developments.
Canadian Meat Council Bulletin - October 2011 Page 21
There are plenty of challenges with E. coli non-O157 for processors, government and public health. At that time, it was suggested that the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) was planning to release a new policy in non-O157 STECs, as well as guidance on validation of HACCP plans. Later in September, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that the six non-O157:H7 E. coli strains will be declared as adulterants in certain raw beef products. The USDA officials also briefed the New York Times on the announcement, which reported the new rules will take effect in March 2012 and will apply to ground beef, beef trim, and needle tenderized whole beef muscle products such as steaks.
Mercury Project in Quebec
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is testing a new way of proceeding to enhance the delivery of its inspection activities in meat processing establishments in the Montreal West Region. This pilot project, named Mercury Project, plans on implementing a mobile team of inspectors with the aim of strengthening and enhancing the inspection of federally registered plants. The Mercury Project is part of a series of steps taken in response to the recommendations of the Weatherill Report and targets in the first place the meat processing sector. The Montreal West Region was selected considering its large concentration of meat processing establishments and the high number of meat product importing and exporting being carried out in the area. The inspectors currently in place can count on the support of this mobile team as of May 2011 to achieve their regular inspection activities in import, export as well as in the delivery of the Compliance Verification System (CVS).
Unfortunately, this project is creating turmoil in the establishments which the project has been carried out (increase in number of corrective actions required, closure, license suspension, competitive disadvantage, assurance quality managers resigning among others). In September, without our approval, a series of articles about this project were published in La Presse, a newspaper in Montreal, presenting a draft Canadian Meat Council letter raising the industry disagreements about this project. In order to give explanations to the industry about this project, on the 19 of September, 2011, a workshop, sponsored by the Canadian Meat Council and in collaboration of the CFIA, was organized in Montreal.
In the workshop, more than 100 participants from the Quebec industry attended. CFIA presented the goals of the project and Jim Lasws, Executive Director and Jorge
Canadian Meat Council Bulletin - October 2011 Page 22
Correa, Technical Director from the Canadian Meat Council, representing the industry, posed the relevant questions that the industry wondered. Some of the questions were vaguely responded by CFIA but others gave the information that industry interrogated. Afterwards, the industry members posed a series of questions that reflected the current situation which was kind of different to the one described by the CFIA. The CFIA officials concluded that the project will end in March 2012 when an evaluation of the project will take place to decide what would be the next step. The industry would like to know the results of this evaluation.
Pathogens reduction: explore a baseline for pathogens i.e. Listeria
The Canadian Meat Council will be presenting the results of the data compilation on industry testing for Listeria in the Technical Symposium on October 6 and 7, 2011. Many member companies of the Canadian Meat Council that manufacture RTE meat products submitted their results to create this enormous database. Now, our members will have a comparison reference made by the industry.
Animal Welfare
The Canadian Meat Council was one of the sponsors of the 5th International Conference on the Assessment of Animal Welfare at Farm and Group Level (WAFL) held for the first time out of Europe at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada on August 9 – 11, 2011. The topics presented during these days covered the development, validation and practical implementation of animal welfare assessment or audit protocols, the development and validation of innovative/automated measures of welfare, the combinations of animal welfare indicators for comprehensive and efficient welfare assessment, the integrating animal welfare assessment with assessment of environmental impact or food safety and assessing/improving compliance with animal welfare standards or guidelines. Several international speakers have entertained these animal welfare days. Among those speakers, Andy Butterworth, a Senior Research Fellow at the Bristol Veterinary School in England, spoke about applying welfare training in global commercial settings, Temple Grandin presented the developing measures for auditing welfare of cattle and pigs at slaughter, Mike Siemens, leader in Animal Welfare and Husbandry for Cargill Animal Nutrition, showed the use of independent third party remote video auditing to enhance animal welfare, Cheryl O'Connor, a program Manager of Animal Welfare in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in New Zealand, spoke about the challenges to implementing animal welfare standards in New Zealand and Rupert Palme, a veterinarian from the Institute of
Canadian Meat Council Bulletin - October 2011 Page 23
Biochemistry of the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, presented a non- invasive measures of stress for monitoring animal welfare: possibilities and limitations. Two hundred and eighty participants came from many countries including United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Netherland, Austria, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Lithuania, China, United States, Brazil and Uruguay. More than 200 posters were exhibited showing the research on all animal species made by universities and research centers from around the world.
Animal Care Assessment Model
The work continues under the guidance of a multi-stakeholder Committee of the Animal Care Assessment Model Steering Committee (ACAM).
The ACAM operates at a high level and is about the process for program development and implementation. Its main goals are to:
Zenhance the transparency, legitimacy and credibility of assessment programs developed according to the Model Zensure consistency of communications along the value chain Zfurther develop Canada’s own cooperative approach to farm animal care, an approach that can be communicated nationally and internationally, and that builds upon existing initiatives Zassist commodity groups in developing or revising an animal care program by providing an informed framework and useful resources
The Model is intended to provide a framework for the development of animal care assessment programs. Groups can follow the ACAM process to develop their animal care program and demonstrate adherence to their Code of Practice. The Codes of Practice represent the national understanding of farm animal care requirements and recommended best practices.
A Workshop on developing the ACAM was held on August 11 and 12, 2011, in Guelph, Ontario. Nearly 70 participants attended the Workshop, including farmers, industry association staff, assessors, animal advocates, processors, retailers, and government. The purpose was to update participants on the project and get feedback on the draft ACAM from a broad group of people with an interest in the topic. The afternoon session on Day 1 featured speakers who brought a diversity of perspectives on themes
Canadian Meat Council Bulletin - October 2011 Page 24 that were complimentary to the Model. Topics included: an historic context of the ACAM project; an overview of scientific research on farm animal welfare assessment; the drivers along the supply chain for a nationally coordinated approach to program development; and the story of how one successful animal care assessment program was developed and implemented. The following day was dedicated to breakout ses- sions designed to allow for a broader group to provide feedback on the draft Model. Key themes emerged:
ZWorkshop participants agreed that there is a need to have a nationally coordinated approach to developing animal care assessments programs. There was also strong support for the goals of the ACAM, but there was active discussion on how specifi- cally to achieve these goals. ZThere was also strong consensus that animal care assessment programs should be based on the Codes of Practice and this generated frequent discussion of the im- portance of having Codes that contain measurable components, set progressive but achievable targets, and acknowledge regional differences within an industry. While the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) Code Development Proc- ess emphasizes this, the Workshop served nevertheless as a valuable reminder of the value of having all stakeholders at the Code table. A Code of Practice that re- flects the needs of all stakeholders facilitates the development of an assessment program that also reflects the needs of all stakeholders. ZThe Model outlines principles that we all agree to yet does not, as yet, outline in de- tail how we will realize those principles in practical settings. For instance, how spe- cifically can we ensure animal care assessment programs bring benefits to farm- ers? . ZSustainability of funding for NFACC: there would be more confidence in the ACAM overall if we have reasonable certainty of long term funding for NFACC.
The next steps following this Workshop include the test piloting of the draft Model by Dairy Farmers of Canada, which will begin developing an animal care assessment pro- gram based on the process set out by the draft ACAM. This exercise will provide a practical opportunity to work through issues raised in the Workshop, address out- standing questions, and inform further revisions to the ACAM. A second Workshop is planned for the fall of 2013, and the ACAM will be completed by December 2013.
Canadian Meat Council Bulletin - October 2011 Page 25
UPCOMING TECHNICAL EVENTS
MEETING CALENDAR 2011
Sheraton Gateway Wednesday, October 5, 2011 Technical Committee Toronto Airport
Thursday-Friday, Technical Symposium: Sheraton Gateway October 6 - 7, 2011 ‘‘Pathogen Reduction’’ Toronto Airport
November-December, 2011 Recall workshop
Thursday-Friday, December Technical Committee Ottawa 8-9, 2011 Compliance Verification February to March, 2012 Across Canada System workshop
Canadian Meat Council Bulletin - October 2011 Page 26
CANADIAN MEAT COUNCIL - EVENTS CALENDAR DATE EVENT 2011 October 6 and 7, Technical Symposium 2011 Sheraton Gateway Toronto Airport October 19 and 20, American Meat Institute - Animal Care and Handling 2011 Conference, Kansas City, MO October 27 to 28, Executive Committee and Board of Directors Meeting Joint 2011 Meeting with the American Meat Institute The Four Seasons Hotel, Washington DC November 1 and 2, American Meat Institute - Meat and Poultry Research 2011 Conference, Kansas City, MO December 8, 2011 Executive Committee (Annual Budget Meeting) Sheraton Gateway Hotel, Toronto ON 2012 May 29 to June 1, Canadian Meat Council 92nd Annual Conference 2012 Le Chateau Frontenac, Québec QC
June 7 to 13, 2012 Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors Council Convention Manoir Richelieu, La Malbaie QC
Canadian Meat Council Bulletin - October 2011 Page 27
CANADIAN MEAT COUNCIL - STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION
Jim Laws Sylvie Dobinson Aksana Korziuk Executive Director Finance Manager Administrative Assistant (613) 729-3911 x 24 (613) 729-3911 x 22 (613) 729-3911 x 27 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Margo Ladouceur Jorge Andrés Correa Brittany Livingston Regulatory Affairs Manager Technical Director Member Services Manager (613) 729-3911 x 25 (613) 729-3911 ext. 23 (613) 729-3911 x 31 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Ronald Davidson Government and Media Relations Director (613) 729-3911 x 26 [email protected]
Website: http://www.cmc-cvc.com
Canadian Meat Council Bulletin - October 2011 Page 28