GSA25CP106 - TRACEABILITY REGULATORY GAP ANALYSIS

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food envisions a strong and competitive B.C. food sector that contributes to regional economic development and food system resilience. This project aims to assess and address the impact of upcoming regulatory changes on British Columbia’s agri-food and seafood sectors, focusing on new traceability requirements. Key regulatory changes include the U.S. FDA’s Final Rule, effective January 2026, mandating traceability plans and records for certain foods, and Canada’s proposed amendments to the Health of Animals Regulations, expected to take effect in 2025, which expand livestock traceability requirements. These changes underscore the increasing importance of traceability for food safety and supply chain integrity.

The project will identify gaps, barriers, and challenges these sectors face in adopting traceability best practices, with a focus on providing actionable recommendations. Deliverables include consultations with regulatory agencies, a jurisdictional scan to evaluate how other regions are adapting, and engagements with stakeholders in BC’s agri-food and seafood sectors to assess their readiness.

Recommendations will focus on tools, resources, and extension strategies to support these sectors in meeting regulatory compliance over the next 2-3 years. The goal is to guide the Ministry’s efforts in prioritizing funding and developing sector-specific support to ensure BC’s agri-food and seafood industries remain competitive and compliant with new traceability standards. The project will culminate in a final report and presentation outlining key findings and strategies for future traceability capacity building.
The term of the project must be completed by July 15, 2025. The budget of the project is a maximum of $60,000 including services and eligible expenses.

Further details as to the scope of this opportunity and the requirements can be found within this RFP.