Agriculture Union CFIA Membership Study

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    Impressions on food safety from

    the frontline 

     Agriculture Union CFIA Membership Study

    February 2016

    Prepared for the Agriculture Union

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    Methodology

    2

    •  The survey was conducted in English and French among 580 members of the

     Agriculture Union who work for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency using aninternet survey programmed and collected by Abacus Data.

    •  The survey was completed from February 12 to February 29, 2016.

    •  There are a total of 3,712 members of Agriculture Union who work at the Canadian

    Food Inspection Agency. The response rate for the survey was 15.6%.

    •  The margin of error for this study is 4.15%, 19 times out of 20.

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    KEY FINDINGS 

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    Key Findings

    4

    With the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) on the verge of overhauling its food safety

    inspection program, a new survey of its staff reveals widespread confusion and an absence ofconfidence about the changes and a workforce that expects its short-handed inspection operations

    will lead to a major food borne illness in the near future.

    •  More than half (55%) of respondents describe the current complement of inspectors in theirimmediate workplace as inadequate to ensure compliance with food safety requirements. Four-in-

    ten (39%) report adequate and 6% report more than adequate complements.

    • 

    This shortage is most acute in meat plants where seven-in-ten (71%) inspectors in process meat

    plants and 60% in slaughter facilities report staffing levels in their immediate work team that areinadequate to ensure safety compliance.

    • 

    Daily presence of inspection staff in meat processing plants, a safety requirement for

    establishments producing for both Canadian and foreign consumer, is a reality for only a small

    minority (27%) working in the meat hygiene program who report there are enough staff for this

    practice to always be in place. More than half (57%) report sufficient staff to provide dailypresence sometimes, while 13% report it rarely happens and 4% say it never happens.

    •  Nearly seven in ten (69%) respondents believe that a major food borne illness outbreak is likely inthe near future given the state of food safety in Canada today. Just 15% believe that such an

    outbreak is unlikely.

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    Key Findings

    5

    •  One-in-four (24%) of all respondents have been asked by a CFIA manager to stop doing required

    food safety related tasks and most (59%) believe these instructions have been issued becausethere are not enough inspectors available to do all required food safety tasks.

    •   A wide majority (86%) believe greater reliance on the food industry to police its own food safety

    practices makes Canada’s food supply less safe.

    •  Concerning Inspection Modernization, CFIA’s staff lack confidence in the program’s ability to

    protect consumer safety, do not feel they have been briefed on their new roles, or trained on their

    new responsibilities, and expect it will limit hands-on oversight.

    • 

     A majority feel not at all (42%) or not very (24%) qualified because the CFIA’s Modernization

    program expects inspectors to work outside their area of expertise and half (50%) believe the new

    approach will actually increase the chance of a major food borne illness outbreak.

    • 

    Half (50%) of all respondents doubt the CFIA’s senior leadership will be able to introduce

    Inspection Modernization while protecting public safety at the same time. Only 14% agree theCFIA’s senior leadership will be able to safeguard the public during the transition.

    •  .

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    PROFILE OF RESPONDENTS 

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    Profile of Respondents

    7 All Respondents, n = 580

    Length of time at CFIA

    The majority of respondents have 6 to 15 years of experience, with the plurality of respondentsworking in the meat hygiene program area.

    25%

    18%

    9%

    10%

    11%

    2%

    1%

    40%

    0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

    Meat Hygiene - slaughter

    Meat Hygiene - process

    Fish

    Fair Labeling/Consumer

    Protection

    Food Safety

    Fruit and Vegetables

    Microbiology

    Other, please specify...

    Program at CFIA

    17%

    32%

    29%

    10%

    0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%

    0 – 5 years

    6 – 10 years

    11 – 15 years

    15 + years

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    Province of Employment

    8 All Respondents, n = 580

    In which province do you work?

    28%

    26%

    10%

    10%

    11%

    5%

    5%

    5%

    4%

    2%

    0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

    Quebec

    Ontario

     Alberta

    British Columbia

    New Brunswick

    Manitoba

    Newfoundland and Labrador

    Nova Scotia

    Saskatchewan

    Prince Edward Island

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    SURVEY FINDINGS 

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    Number of inspectors in local workplaces

    10 All Respondents, n = 580

    Do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

    6%

    5%

    25%

    24%

    31%

    31%

    29%

    29%

    9%

    10%

    0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

    There are enough inspectors inmy immediate work area to allowstaff to take leave for vacation,

    illness and other purposes.

    There are enough inspectors inmy immediate work area to allow

    staff to book off for required

    training

    Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree Don’t know

    Overall, a majority (60%) of respondents agree there are insufficient inspectors in their work area toallow staff to take leave for vacation, illness or other reasons, or to allow staff to book off time for

    required training.

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    Number of inspectors in local workplaces

    11 All Respondents, n = 580

    Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? | There are enough inspectors in myimmediate work area to allow staff to book off for required training

    5%

    8%

    4%

    4%

    8%

    5%

    5%

    6%

    6%

    24%

    23%

    28%

    24%

    20%

    14%

    19%

    49%

    27%

    31%

    30%

    27%

    30%

    37%

    33%

    40%

    17%

    28%

    29%

    28%

    26%

    35%

    28%

    47%

    37%

    23%

    19%

    10%

    11%

    14%

    7%

    7%

    1%

    6%

    20%

    0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

     All

    0 – 5 years

    6 – 10 years

    11 – 15 years

    15 + years

    Meat Hygiene - slaughter

    Meat Hygiene - process

    Fish

    Other

    Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree Don’t know

    When asked whether there are sufficient inspectors in their work area to allow time off for requiredtraining, 60% of all respondents report there are not. Inspectors in meat slaughter (80% disagree)

    and processing (77% disagree) establishments were least likely to report sufficient inspectors,

    while those working in fish were most likely to feel there were enough inspectors (55% agree).

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    Number of inspectors in local workplaces

    12 All Respondents, n = 580

    Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? | There are enough inspectors in myimmediate work area to allow staff to take leave for vacation, illness and other purposes.

    6%

    8%

    5%

    4%

    9%

    4%

    7%

    6%

    7%

    25%

    25%

    25%

    26%

    22%

    16%

    19%

    51%

    27%

    31%

    29%

    29%

    32%

    33%

    33%

    35%

    17%

    31%

    29%

    27%

    28%

    31%

    30%

    47%

    40%

    23%

    17%

    9%

    11%

    12%

    7%

    6%

    4%

    19%

    0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

     All

    0 – 5 years

    6 – 10 years

    11 – 15 years

    15 + years

    Meat Hygiene - slaughter

    Meat Hygiene - process

    Fish

    Other

    Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree Don’t know

    When asked whether there are sufficient inspectors in their work area to allow time off for vacation,illness, or other leave, 60% of respondents felt there are not. Again, those working in the meat

    slaughter (80% disagree) and meat process (75% disagree) were least likely to feel there are

    sufficient inspectors, while those working in fish were most likely to feel there are enough

    inspectors (57% agree).

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    Perceptions about Current Complement of Inspection Staff

    13 All Respondents, n = 580

    Which of the following best describes the current complement of inspection staff in your immediateworking group?

    6%

    39%

    55%

    0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

    More than adequate to complete all tasks needed toensure compliance with food safety requirements

     Adequate to complete all tasks needed to ensure

    compliance with food safety requirements

    Inadequate to complete all task needed to ensurecompliance with food safety requirements

     Although 39% of respondents report that the current complement of staff in their immediate workinggroup is adequate to ensure compliance with food safety requirements, a majority (55%) felt that

    current staffing levels are inadequate.

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    Perceptions about Current Complement of Inspection Staff

    14 All Respondents, n = 580

    Which of the following best describes the current complement of inspection staff in your immediateworking group?

    Overall, 55% of respondents felt the current complement of inspection staff in their working groupwas inadequate. This view was more widely held among those with 11-15 years of experience

    (62%), and those working in the meat hygiene – process area (71%).

    6%

    7%

    4%

    4%

    8%

    5%

    4%

    8%

    6%

    39%

    45%

    41%

    34%

    40%

    35%

    25%

    43%

    46%

    55%

    48%

    55%

    62%

    52%

    60%

    71%

    49%

    47%

    0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

     All

    0 – 5 years

    6 – 10 years

    11 – 15 years

    15 + years

    Meat Hygiene - slaughter

    Meat Hygiene - process

    Fish

    Other

    More than adequate to complete all tasks needed to ensure compliance with food safety requirements Adequate to complete all tasks needed to ensure compliance with food safety requirements

    Inadequate to complete all task needed to ensure compliance with food safety requirements

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    Daily Presence of Meat Inspectors

    15 All Respondents, n = 254

     Are there enough inspectors in your immediate working group to allow meaningful daily presence inestablishments for which your group is responsible? Meat Inspectors Only

    27%

    57%

    13%

    4%

    0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

     Always

    Sometimes

    Rarely

    Never

    Just over a quarter of meat inspectors (27%) report that there are always enough inspectors in theirgroup to allow for meaningful daily presence in meat slaughter and process establishments they

    are responsible for. Meanwhile, a majority (57%) report that there are sometimes enough, while

    13% report there are rarely enough and 4% report there are never enough to meet this

    requirement.

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    Daily Presence of Meat Inspectors

    16 All Respondents, n = 254

     Are there enough inspectors in your immediate working group to allow meaningful daily presence inestablishments for which your group is responsible? Meat Inspectors Only 

    When examined across demographic subgroups, those with 6-10 years of experience (22%), andthose working in meat hygiene processing (18%) were least likely to think there are always enough

    inspectors to allow meaningful daily presence.

    27%

    29%

    22%

    26%

    33%

    33%

    18%

    57%

    59%

    58%

    65%

    41%

    54%

    60%

    13%

    12%

    18%

    4%

    18%

    10%

    16%

    4%

    0%

    3%

    4%

    8%

    2%

    6%

    0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

     All Meat Inspectors

    0 – 5 years

    6 – 10 years

    11 – 15 years

    15 + years

    Meat Hygiene - slaughter

    Meat Hygiene - process

     Always Sometimes Rarely Never

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    Required Food Safety Tasks

    17 All Respondents, n = 580

    Have you been asked or directed by CFIA managers to stop doing some required food safetyrelated tasks?

    24%

    76%

    0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

    Yes

    No

     Although 76% of respondents answered ‘no’, nearly a quarter (24%) stated that they had beenasked or directed by CFIA managers to stop doing some required food safety related tasks.

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    Required Food Safety Related Tasks

    18 All Respondents, n = 580

    Have you been asked or directed by CFIA managers to stop doing some required food safetyrelated tasks?

    While those with five years experience or less (20%), and those working in other sectors (17%)were least likely to have been asked to stop doing some food safety related tasks, those in fish

    (42%) and meat hygiene process (29%) were most likely.

    24%

    20%

    24%

    28%

    23%

    28%

    29%

    42%

    17%

    76%

    80%

    76%

    72%

    77%

    72%

    71%

    58%

    83%

    0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

     All

    0 – 5 years

    6 – 10 years

    11 – 15 years

    15 + years

    Meat Hygiene - slaughter

    Meat Hygiene - process

    Fish

    Other

    Yes No

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    Reason for stopping food safety related tasks

    19 All Respondents, n = 147

    Which of the following best describes why managers at the CFIA asked you to stop doing somerequired food safety related tasks, in your opinion?

    59%

    13%

    29%

    0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

    There are not enough inspectors available todo all required food safety tasks

    The food safety tasks aren’t necessary to

    ensure compliance with safety requirements

    Other, please specify...

    Of those asked to stop doing some required food safety related tasks, a majority (59%) believe thatsuch a request was made because of a lack of available inspectors. Just 13% felt the request was

    made because the tasks were not necessary to ensure compliance with safety requirements.

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    Reason for stopping food safety related tasks.

    20 All Respondents, n = 147

    Which of the following best describes why managers at the CFIA asked you to stop doing somerequired food safety related tasks, in your opinion?

     Across demographic subgroups, those working in the meat hygiene slaughter and processdivisions were more likely to feel that they were asked to stop doing some tasks because there are

    not enough inspectors (72% and 78%, respectively). Those in the fish sector were most likely to

    feel that they were asked to stop because the tasks were not necessary (39%).

    59%

    52%

    60%

    62%

    56%

    72%

    78%

    30%

    47%

    13%

    19%

    15%

    11%

    9%

    2%

    3%

    39%

    16%

    29%

    29%

    26%

    28%

    34%

    26%

    19%

    30%

    37%

    0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

     All

    0 – 5 years

    6 – 10 years

    11 – 15 years

    15 + years

    Meat Hygiene - slaughter

    Meat Hygiene - process

    Fish

    Other

    There are not enough inspectors available to do all required food safety tasksThe food safety tasks aren’t necessary to ensure compliance with safety requirements

    Other, please specify...

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    Increased Risk of Food Borne Illness

    21 All Respondents, n = 580

    In your opinion, have Canadian consumers been exposed to an increased risk of food borne illnessbecause of a shortage of inspectors?

    44%

    19%

    37%

    0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

    Yes

    No

    Don’t know

     Although 37% of respondents weren’t sure if a shortage of food inspectors has led to an increasedrisk of food borne illness, a plurality (44%) believe it has.

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    Increased Risk of Food Borne Illness

    22 All Respondents, n = 580

    In your opinion, have Canadian consumers been exposed to an increased risk of food borne illnessbecause of a shortage of inspectors?

     Although there was minimal variation across demographic subgroups when it came to an increasedrisk of food borne illness in Canada as a result of a shortage of inspectors, those who have worked

    for CFIA for five years or less were less likely to see a relationship between risk and the number of

    inspectors (28%).

    44%

    28%

    47%

    48%

    46%

    50%

    48%

    47%

    38%

    19%

    24%

    16%

    18%

    21%

    20%

    19%

    25%

    18%

    37%

    48%

    37%

    34%

    32%

    29%

    33%

    28%

    45%

    0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

     All

    0 – 5 years

    6 – 10 years

    11 – 15 years

    15 + years

    Meat Hygiene - slaughter

    Meat Hygiene - process

    Fish

    Other

    Yes No Don’t know

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    Self Regulation

    23 All Respondents, n = 580

     As you may know, the CFIA is increasingly reliant on industry to self-regulate when it comes to foodsafety. Will this trend make Canada’s food supply more safe, less safe, or will it have no impact on

    the food supply?

    3%

    11%

    86%

    0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

    More safe

    No impact

    Less safe

    Overall, a strong majority (86%) of respondents believe that a greater reliance on industry to self-regulate food safety makes Canada’s food supply less safe.

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    Self Regulation

    24 All Respondents, n = 580

     As you may know, the CFIA is increasingly reliant on industry to self-regulate when it comes to foodsafety. Will this trend make Canada’s food supply more safe, less safe, or will it have no impact on

    the food supply?

    Results are relatively consistent across demographic subgroups when respondents were askedwhether an increased reliance on industry to self-regulate would lead to a safer or less safe food

    supply in Canada.

    3%

    4%

    4%

    2%

    3%

    2%

    4%

    2%

    4%

    11%

    15%

    11%

    7%

    12%

    6%

    10%

    11%

    14%

    86%

    81%

    85%

    90%

    85%

    92%

    86%

    87%

    82%

    0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

     All

    0 – 5 years

    6 – 10 years

    11 – 15 years

    15 + years

    Meat Hygiene - slaughter

    Meat Hygiene - process

    Fish

    Other

    More safe No impact Less safe

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    Likelihood of Major Food Borne Illness

    25 All Respondents, n = 580

    Given your knowledge and experience with the state of food inspection in Canada, what is thelikelihood that a major food borne illness outbreak in Canada will occur in the near future?

    26%

    43%

    10%

    5%

    15%

    0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

    Very likely

    Somewhat likely

    Somewhat unlikely

    Very unlikely

    Don’t know

    Nearly seven in ten (69%) respondents believe that, based on their knowledge and experience, amajor food borne illness outbreak in Canada is likely in the near future. Just 15% felt that such an

    outbreak is unlikely.

    69% believe that amajor food borne

    illness outbreak in

    Canada is at leastsomewhat likely tooccur in the near

    future.

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    Likelihood of Major Food Borne Illness

    26 All Respondents, n = 580

    Given your knowledge and experience with the state of food inspection in Canada, what is thelikelihood that a major food borne illness outbreak in Canada will occur in the near future?

     Across demographic subgroups, belief in the likelihood of a major food borne illness outbreak inCanada in the near future is most widely held by those working in meat hygiene – slaughter (78%

    likely) and those with over 11 years of experience (77% likely). This belief was least held by those

    with less than five years of experience (57% likely).

    26%

    12%

    24%

    34%

    31%

    32%

    23%

    23%

    26%

    43%

    45%

    42%

    43%

    44%

    46%

    44%

    45%

    41%

    10%

    11%

    11%

    9%

    11%

    7%

    13%

    11%

    11%

    5%

    9%

    4%

    2%

    6%

    4%

    4%

    2%

    6%

    15%

    23%

    19%

    11%

    9%

    10%

    16%

    19%

    16%

    0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

     All

    0 – 5 years

    6 – 10 years

    11 – 15 years

    15 + years

    Meat Hygiene - slaughter

    Meat Hygiene - process

    Fish

    Other

    Very likely Somewhat likely Somewhat unlikely Very unlikely Don’t know

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    What if Canadian consumers knew what you know?

    27 All Respondents, n = 580

    If Canadian consumers had your knowledge about the level of food inspection in Canada today, doyou think their level of confidence in the safety of food they consume would! 

    12%

    12%

    63%

    13%

    0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

    Increase

    Stay the same

    Decrease

    Don’t know

     A strong majority of respondents (63%) think confidence in food inspection would decrease ifCanadians had their inside knowledge. Few (12%) believe more knowledge would increase

    confidence among Canadians, and another 12% felt more knowledge would make no difference.

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    What if Canadian consumers knew what you know?

    28 All Respondents, n = 580

    If Canadian consumers had your knowledge about the level of food inspection in Canada today, doyou think their level of confidence in the safety of food they consume would! 

     Across demographic subgroups, those with more experience working for CFIA were more likely tobelieve that public confidence would decrease if consumers shared workers’ knowledge. Those

    with less than five years of experience were most likely to feel that public confidence would

    increase (20%). Those working in areas of meat hygiene – slaughter and fish were most likely to

    feel that confidence would decrease, at 69% and 74%, respectively.

    12%

    20%

    10%

    6%

    15%

    13%

    13%

    6%

    12%

    12%

    11%

    14%

    12%

    9%

    10%

    11%

    8%

    14%

    63%

    52%

    61%

    67%

    69%

    69%

    60%

    74%

    59%

    13%

    17%

    14%

    14%

    7%

    9%

    15%

    13%

    15%

    0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

     All

    0 – 5 years

    6 – 10 years

    11 – 15 years

    15 + years

    Meat Hygiene - slaughter

    Meat Hygiene - process

    Fish

    Other

    Increase Stay the same Decrease Don’t know

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    The Compliance Verification System

    29 All Respondents, n = 580

    Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? | The Compliance Verification System hasallowed me to be involved in day-to-day problem solving with industry to avoid problems in the

    plant from becoming problems that make people sick.

    10%

    27%

    23%

    10%

    29%

    0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%

    Strongly agree

     Agree

    Disagree

    Strongly disagree

    Don’t know

    Overall, respondents are split on whether the Compliance Verification System allowed them to beinvolved in day to day problem solving. Just over a third (37%) of respondents felt that it had

    helped, while a third (33%) felt that it had not, a further 29% were unsure.

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    The Compliance Verification System

    30 All Respondents, n = 580

    Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? | The Compliance Verification System hasallowed me to be involved in day-to-day problem solving with industry to avoid problems in the

    plant from becoming problems that make people sick.

    Those with five years of experience or less were most likely to have found the ComplianceVerification System helpful (50%), while those with over 11 years of experience were less likely.

    Meanwhile, those working in the area of meat hygiene – process were most likely to have found the

    system helpful (62% agree), while those working in fish were less likely (30% agree).

    10%

    18%

    11%

    5%

    8%

    10%

    17%

    11%

    7%

    27%

    32%

    30%

    24%

    24%

    37%

    45%

    19%

    17%

    23%

    15%

    21%

    28%

    27%

    35%

    22%

    30%

    16%

    10%

    7%

    7%

    13%

    13%

    12%

    12%

    13%

    8%

    29%

    28%

    30%

    30%

    29%

    6%

    4%

    26%

    53%

    0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

     All

    0 – 5 years

    6 – 10 years

    11 – 15 years

    15 + years

    Meat Hygiene - slaughter

    Meat Hygiene - process

    Fish

    Other

    Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree Don’t know

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    Inspection Modernization

    31 All Respondents, n = 580

     As you may know, the CFIA intends to replace the current commodity inspection system with a new system. The Agency is calling this change Inspection Modernization. In your opinion, what is the

    CFIA’s motivation for doing this?

    24%

    51%

    11%

    14%

    0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

    To respond to dwindling resources at the CFIA

    To transfer more responsibility and liabilityfrom CFIA to industry

    To improve food safety outcomes

    Don’t know

    Overall, a majority (51%) of respondents believe that the CFIA’s motivation for introducingInspection Modernization is to transfer more responsibility and liability from CFIA to industry.

    Nearly a quarter (24%) feet it is to respond to dwindling resources at the CFIA, and just 11% feel it

    is to improve safety outcomes.

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    Inspection Modernization

    32 All Respondents, n = 580

     As you may know, the CFIA intends to replace the current commodity inspection system with a new system. The Agency is calling this change Inspection Modernization. In your opinion, what is the

    CFIA’s motivation for doing this?

    Those with less than five years experience are least likely to feel the motivation behind InspectionModernization is to shift responsibility from CFIA to industry (41%), while those with over 11 years

    experience were most likely to feel that way (58%). Further, those working in areas of fish and

    meat hygiene - process were most likely to agree that the CFIA’s motivation is to transfer

    responsibility (64% and 59%, respectively).

    24%

    26%

    27%

    21%

    20%

    29%

    19%

    13%

    25%

    51%

    41%

    46%

    58%

    57%

    55%

    59%

    64%

    43%

    11%

    16%

    11%

    9%

    12%

    8%

    10%

    8%

    14%

    14%

    17%

    17%

    12%

    10%

    8%

    11%

    15%

    18%

    0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

     All

    0 – 5 years

    6 – 10 years

    11 – 15 years

    15 + years

    Meat Hygiene - slaughter

    Meat Hygiene - process

    Fish

    Other

    To respond to dwindling resources at the CFIA

    To transfer more responsibility and liability from CFIA to industryTo improve food safety outcomesDon’t know

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    Inspection Modernization

    33 All Respondents, n = 580

    CFIA has said Inspection Modernization will allow the Agency to assign inspectors and frontlinesupervisors work outside of their area of expertise (for example, forestry experts inspecting fish,

    animal science experts inspecting plant material).Do you feel qualified to inspect products outside

    of your field of expertise?

    6%

    14%

    24%

    42%

    13%

    0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%

    Yes

    Somewhat

    Not very

    Not at all

    Don’t know

    When asked how qualified they would feel to inspect products outside of their field of expertise, twothirds (66%) feel they would be not very or not at all qualified. Just 20% feel qualified.

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    Inspection Modernization

    34 All Respondents, n = 580

    CFIA has said Inspection Modernization will allow the Agency to assign inspectors and frontlinesupervisors work outside of their area of expertise (for example, forestry experts inspecting fish,

    animal science experts inspecting plant material).Do you feel qualified to inspect products outside

    of your field of expertise?

     A majority of all groups felt not very or not at all qualified to inspect products outside their field ofexpertise. There was minimal variation across demographic subgroups, however, feelings of

    qualification were lowest among those with 6-10 years experience (15%) and highest among those

    working in meat hygiene – slaughter (26%).

    6%

    8%

    5%

    7%

    6%

    8%

    8%

    4%

    5%

    14%

    17%

    10%

    16%

    17%

    18%

    12%

    13%

    13%

    24%

    16%

    27%

    24%

    28%

    26%

    27%

    28%

    22%

    42%

    49%

    42%

    40%

    39%

    44%

    47%

    47%

    38%

    13%

    10%

    17%

    14%

    11%

    5%

    5%

    8%

    23%

    0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

     All

    0 – 5 years

    6 – 10 years

    11 – 15 years

    15 + years

    Meat Hygiene - slaughter

    Meat Hygiene - process

    Fish

    Other

    Yes Somewhat Not very Not at all Don’t know

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    Impact of Inspection Modernization

    35 All Respondents, n = 580

    In your opinion, will the introduction of Inspection Modernization! 

    5%

    12%

    50%

    32%

    0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

    Reduce the chanceof a major food borne

    illness outbreak

    Make no difference

    Increase the chanceof a major food borne

    illness outbreak

    Don’t know

    Overall, half of respondents (50%) felt that the introduction of Inspection Modernization wouldincrease the risk of a major food borne illness outbreak, while just 5% felt it would reduce such

    risks.

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    36 All Respondents, n = 580

    In your opinion, will the introduction of Inspection Modernization! 

     Across demographic subgroups, there appeared to be a relationship between experience andfeelings of increased risk of an outbreak: those with less experience expressed greater uncertainty

    and lower levels of risk, while those with more experience were more likely to fear an outbreak and

    less likely to be unsure. Those working in the area of meat hygiene – slaughter were most likely to

    feel that Inspection Modernization would lead to an increased risk of a major outbreak, at 61%.

    Impact of Inspection Modernization

    5%

    8%

    4%

    3%

    9%

    3%

    3%

    4%

    8%

    12%

    10%

    12%

    14%

    12%

    14%

    12%

    17%

    11%

    50%

    45%

    49%

    53%

    53%

    61%

    49%

    45%

    46%

    32%

    37%

    36%

    30%

    27%

    22%

    36%

    34%

    36%

    0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

     All

    0 – 5 years

    6 – 10 years

    11 – 15 years

    15 + years

    Meat Hygiene - slaughter

    Meat Hygiene - process

    Fish

    Other

    Reduce the chance of a major food borne illness outbreakMake no difference

    Increase the chance of a major food borne illness outbreakDon’t know

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    Inspection Modernization

    37 All Respondents, n = 580

    Do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

    4%

    2%

    2%

    2%

    2%

    10%

    9%

    6%

    5%

    4%

    31%

    23%

    32%

    31%

    22%

    19%

    19%

    41%

    41%

    22%

    36%

    46%

    19%

    21%

    50%

    0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

    Senior leadership at the CFIA will be able to

    introduce Inspection Modernization whileprotecting consumer safety at the same time.

    Inspection Modernization will allow me to do

    more hands on oversight and inspection ofindustry.

    I have been briefed and am fully aware of my

    new role and responsibilities under InspectionModernization.

    In preparation for the introduction of InspectionModernization, I have received adequate

    training to fulfill those responsibilities.

     An assessment of resources needed to safelyimplement Inspection Modernization has been

    done in my immediate work area.

    Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree Don’t know

    When a range of statements were tested about the introduction of Inspection Modernization,respondents were overall lacking confidence in the program’s ability to protect consumer safety, felt

    it would limit hands-on oversight, did not feel they had been briefed on their new roles, and did not

    feel they had been trained on their new responsibilities.

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