Inspection Requirements for Produce Reconciliation Agreement (2018)

Whereas the Governments of Canada, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut resolve to:

• PROMOTE an open, efficient, and stable domestic market for long-term job creation, economic growth, and stability;
• REDUCE AND ELIMINATE, to the extent possible, barriers to the free movement of persons, goods, services, and investments within Canada;

Recognizing that federal requirements for grade inspections for apples, potatoes and quality inspections for blueberries that differ based on province of origin and destination represent a barrier to the inter-provincial trade of apples, potatoes and blueberries originating from these provinces;

Acknowledging that the proposed Safe Food for Canadians Regulations wil modernize Canada’s food safety regulatory regime and contribute to fair trading practices;

The Government of Canada commits to reconciling differing requirements for grade inspections for apples, potatoes and quality inspections for blueberries as follows.