Conservatives continue to fail Canadians on food safety

OTTAWA – New Democrat Food Safety critic Malcolm Allen (Welland) is warning that funding cuts quietly announced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) this morning will mean major setbacks that increasingly put Canadian families at risk.

The agency’s 2011-12 Estimates Report on Plans and Priorities outlines the government’s plan to decrease funding by $21.5 million and eliminate 234 staff.

“This news will only further erode Canadians’ confidence in their food safety system,” said Allen. “I strongly urge this government to reconsider these cuts and provide CFIA the resources it needs to ensure the food Canadian families are putting on their dinner table is safe.”

Despite lingering food inspection concerns over listeriosis, according to this CFIA report, “resources will sunset for listeriosis, and for increased frequency of food inspection in meat processing establishments”.

“Just a few short years after the devastating listeriosis outbreak that killed 23 Canadians, this government is turning their backs on consumers”, added Allen “It is irresponsible and shocking that a country like Canada would allow this type of risk to be present in our food supply.”