OTTAWA, Ontario – On Friday June 20, 2014, the Canadian Parliament amended the Safe Food for Canadians Act, repealing the board of arbitration and providing for the ability to name a third party to deliver dispute resolution services in Canada. Thanks to strong industry support, it is likely DRC will be named as the single entity providing default standards and dispute resolution services to the industry in Canada. As such, DRC members should not expect to see any significant changes in the way they currently do business.
Timeline:
Fall 2013 / Winter 2014: Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s extensive consultations with industry demonstrated overwhelming support that DRC be named as the single service provider for administering dispute resolution.
Spring 2014: DRC President & CEO, Fred C. Webber, appeared before the House Finance Standing Committee to advocate for the two amendments to the Safe Food for Canadians Act.
June 2014: Amendment of the Safe Food for Canadians Act officially repealing the board of arbitration and allowing for a third party to deliver dispute resolution services to the industry.
Summer 2014: The SCFA regulations for food safety that are relevant to DRC should be appearing in Canada Gazette Part 1 for comment.
About the Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC)
DRC is a non-profit, membership-based organization providing education, consultation, mediation, and arbitration to the produce trade. DRC works closely with industry associations and governments on behalf of members to reform legislation, make federal inspections more accessible, develop best practices, and level the playing field for participants. Governed by a Board of Directors, DRC members represent all facets of the produce industry as well as the transportation industry dealing in fresh fruit and vegetables. For more information about DRC please visit FVDRC.com.
For more information or to schedule an interview with Fred Webber, please contact:
Andrea Asbreuk at 613-234-0982 or e-mail Andrea at aasbreuk@fvdrc.com.
Source: Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC)
