Canadian Traceability
Industry Government Advisory Committee (IGAC)
Industries and governments are committed to working together to establish a national traceability system in Canada.
An Industry-Government Advisory Committee (IGAC) was established as an advisory body to lead the development and implementation of the National Agriculture and Food Traceability System (NAFTS). The IGAC is a forum for industry and governments to collaborate on traceability and is comprised of 22 industry members and another 15 representing federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) governments.
IGAC's vision is for industry and government to create a structure for a NAFTS, beginning with livestock and poultry, that will help prepare for and respond to crises, including outbreaks of animal disease and food safety emergencies. It will also help enhance industry's competitiveness and ability to retain or capture market opportunities.
Recognizing the work that has been done, the goal of the NAFTS is to build upon what has already been created in the agriculture and agri-food sectors.
Given the industry's leadership and foresight in building the foundation for traceability, FPT agriculture ministers committed to phasing-in a NAFTS, beginning with livestock and poultry. In the summer of 2009, that commitment was further strengthened with a 2011 target date for the implementation of a mandatory national system for livestock.
What has IGAC accomplished?
- Significant progress has been made towards agreement on national standards and performance targets for livestock traceability. This is the foundation.
- Industry has developed sector identification strategies targeted at 2011.
- Government and industry representatives identified seven critical issues and created working groups to address them. National approaches are being established in such areas as information sharing, cost sharing and communications.
- IGAC adopted a charter, defining itself as an advisory body that discusses issues, develops options, makes recommendations, advises decision-makers and facilitates implementation of the livestock and poultry component of NAFTS.
- Provincial governments are developing multi-species and, eventually, multi-commodity premises identification systems. They have committed to have these in place during 2010.
More information
For more information on the NAFTS, contact an IGAC representative through your industry association, your provincial government, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.