The Government of Canada and Factory Farming
Jurisdiction over agriculture in Canada is divided between the federal government and the provinces. The regulation of factory farms is carried out primarily at the provincial level, but there are some areas where the federal government has regulatory jurisdiction. Furthermore, federal agriculture policy has a great influence on provincial decision-making.
The Agriculture Policy Framework formalizes the federal-provincial-territorial linkage on agriculture policy in Canada.
The Commissioner said that:
- Environment Canada does not currently monitor or track its compliance promotion activities and cannot yet demonstrate that its efforts related to hog farming have resulted in an increase in farmers’ compliance with the pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act.
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has yet to clarify its strategic approach to addressing the environmental impacts of hog farming and clearly communicate the approach to all stakeholders, in order to encourage a sustainable hog industry.
For an overview of standards and regulations in all jurisdictional levels in North America, see the study Comparative Standards for Intensive Livestock Operations in Canada, Mexico, and the US (pdf), prepared for the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, 4 February 2002
Areas of federal jurisdiction that affect factory farms
- Department of Agriculture — Canadian Food Inspection Agency — regulates federally inspected meat packing plants including all meat that crosses inter-provincial and/or international borders.
- Department of Fisheries and Oceans — in the case where run-off pollutes fish-bearing waters through Meat and Poultry Products Plant Liquid Effluent Regulations (C.R.C., c. 818)
- Health Canada — Veterinary drugs is responsible for ensuring the safety of foods such as milk, meat, eggs, fish, and honey from animals treated with veterinary drugs. They also ensure that veterinary drugs sold in Canada are safe and effective for animals
- Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade promotes exports of Canadian meat products and livestock. DFAIT is also responsible for international trade agreements such as NAFTA, the WTO, GATS,the FTAA, and so on.
- Environment Canada — if a factory farm is on federal land or involves federal money a federal environmental assessment process could be triggered.
Generally, federal involvement in industrial livestock production in Canada is in the area of agricultural research rather than regulation. Often federal assistance is directed through provincial initiatives.