30 March 2009

Canada vulnerable to outbreaks, bioterrorism: Report

The following article is extracted from the 29 March 2009 edition of the “Toronto Star”.

A retired food inspector is warning lax meat import rules leave Canada vulnerable to bioterrorism and outbreaks of dangerous bacteria such as Listeria.

"In these times the threat to security and terrorism is real," says a report by Paul Caron, a former Canadian Food Inspection Agency inspector….

The report says the problems begin at the border.

The CFIA pre-clears U.S. meat imports before they enter Canada. The agency tells American exporters at least three days ahead of time if their shipments will be checked.

The report says this could allow "unsavoury" exporters to dump unsafe meats into Canada, and it is an ideal means to smuggle contraband across the border or carry out acts of bioterrorism.

Conversely, the report adds, the United States inspects all meat shipments at its borders.

One in every 10 shipments to Canada is sent to inspection facilities for a closer look by a CFIA inspector….

Companies can also choose which facility inspects their meat, it adds, which opens the door for importers and processors to "potentially choose an inspector who is more lenient in general, or worse yet, potentially an inspector with whom they have an arrangement."

The report says many inspectors are simply new to the job and lack the training and expertise to spot dicey meats.

Turnaround time is another issue. The report says it can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to do a proper inspection.

"Inspection managers are under pressure to satisfy all client demands for service," it says.

"To satisfy these demands, CFIA inspectors are encouraged by managers to cut time by not following proper procedures."

Caron says he witnessed this during his 35-year career as a meat inspector at the CFIA.
"I haven't seen an inspector ever follow the procedure the way it's supposed to be followed," he said in an interview.

"A lot of it is because they're overwhelmed with the work they have to do. They're cutting corners. A lot of it is because of lack of training."…