The Ontario Food Safety System
The Haines Report: Follow up Audit Report, Haines Report

Farm to Fork: a Strategy for Meat Safety in Ontario

In early 2004, Justice R. Haines conducted a review of Ontario's meat regulatory and inspection system. His report - Farm to Fork: a Strategy for Meat Safety in Ontario - was released in July 2004.

Following his review, Justice Haines concluded that the meat produced and consumed in Ontario is, for the most part, safe and free of hazardous contaminants. Justice Haines stated that Ontario has a good food safety system. The recommendations in his report were made with the intention of strengthening the system and to bring it to a world-class level.

Food safety is a priority for the Ontario government and the government is committed to implementing the recommendations made by Justice Haines in a responsible manner. Since 2004, the recommendations for which the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is responsible have been substantially completed. The ministry continues to follow up on outstanding recommendations and regularly reviews its meat inspection program.