Outdated and cumbersome regulations serve neither consumers nor producers.Ottawa—The agrifood sector gave federal officials plenty to chew on in comments about how government regulations impede the international competitiveness of Canadian farm and food products.The Agrifood and Aquaculture Regulatory Review launched last year, along with targeted examinations of four other high-growth sectors, generated 60 written responses. Submissions on the other sectors highlighted issues also of concern to agrifood.The goal of the government's regulatory reform agenda is to support innovation and business investment and make the federal regulatory system more agile, transparent and responsive. The comments it received on agrifood, transportation and other sectors indicates the reform plan has a long way to go and reinforce earlier proposals that Ottawa establish a way to review the actions of government departments so they don't contradict each other or hamper sectors of the economy with red tape and unnecessary rules.Treasury Board has released a capsule summary of 10 topics raised in the agrifood sector. It hasn't yet said whether more details on the responses would be provided.The comments covered regulations on feeds, seeds and fertilizers, grains, veterinary drugs, pesticides, food labelling and advertising, food modernization, plant breeding innovation and internal and international trade. The need for a better foreign worker program that will lead to citizenship and a more robust seasonal worker service were highlighted in several reviews.Typical of the comments on the various sections was an observation that feeds, seeds and fertilizers suffer from outdated and prescriptive regulations. The approval processes are lengthy and burdensome and “it can be challenging when several federal departments and agencies are involved in a regulatory regime … Existing regulations need to be updated and moved toward more outcome-based approaches, the comments said. “When the regulations are modernized, there should be enhanced clarity and guidance to industry on how to meet the regulatory objectives.”The grains sector complained that regulations “have not kept pace with the rapidly evolving nature of the Canadian grain industry. Areas of concern include the efficiency and effectiveness of the current system in the mandatory weighing and inspection of exported grain, and in the classification of grain varieties by the Canadian Grain Commission.”Canada is a small market for veterinary drugs and “the regulatory regime may be impeding the ability of farmers and aquaculture producers to access certain products quickly,” the comments said. “In addition, fees for veterinary drug reviews should reflect Canada's market size and incentivize the entry to market of more products for minor use and minor species.”Canada needs to take a greater role internationally on gaining approval of modern pesticides and in establishing standard maximum residue limits that all countries will accept so exports aren't blocked by different standards.On food labelling and advertising regulations are too often “misaligned with scientific evidence” and need to be based on international standards, the comments said.A particular concern was the burdensome and lengthy approval process for new foods. “In particular, this was noted for products that present a low risk to the health and safety of Canadians.”A lack of “clarity, predictability and transparency around information requirements and time frames for plant breeding innovation can discourage innovation and investment,” the comments said. What's needed is a well-defined process for the determination of novel traits and better coordination among “federal departments and agencies, as well as consideration of the global regulatory landscape would maximize business opportunities and maintain market access and confidence in Canada's regulatory system.Canadian requirements and approvals that differ from international standards impair the competitiveness of the agrifood and aquaculture industries thus negatively impacting the ability of Canadian businesses to reach new markets.”Labour shortages hinder growth in many parts of the economy and the government needs to take positive action to enable the entry of more foreign workers.Alex Binkley is a freelance journalist and writes for domestic and international publications about agriculture, food and transportation issues. He's also the author of two science fiction novels with more in the works.