Canadian Food Business
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is protecting Canada’s food, plants and animals through science and collaboration with partners, both internationally and at home. The CFIA recently signed a science-sharing memorandum of understanding with the French food regulator, Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l’alimentation, de l’environnement et du travail (ANSES).
The agreement will strengthen and formalize scientific cooperation on innovative research taking place at the CFIA network of 13 reference and research laboratories, and the ANSES network of 11 laboratories throughout France. The collaboration is envisioned to further develop research on genomics and proteomics to better understand food and animal diseases and how to detect them.
Scientific techniques in these areas, such as DNA barcoding and whole genome sequencing are already refining and improving the way the CFIA detects and studies foodborne illness, invasive species, plant and animal diseases.
“In a globalized world where Canada trades internationally, threats such as foreign animal diseases, invasive species and anti-microbial resistance are global issues that know no borders,” says Dr. Primal Silva, Vice President of Science for the CFIA. “The CFIA will continue to develop international partnerships so we can further protect Canadians through global scientific innovation and collaboration.”
