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Formative Evaluation of the Canadian Regulatory System for Biotechnology (CRSB) - Reporting on the Implementation of the Management Action Plan
Project No.: 60267
Sector: Science
DAEC Approval Date: April 22, 2003
1st Follow-Up Status Report: December 15, 2004
2nd Follow-up Status Report: April 27, 2006
| Recommendations | Management Action Plan | Initial Target Date | Actions Completed | Actions Out-standing | Estimated Completion Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. That a Results-based Management and Accountability Framework (RMAF) for the DFO component of the renewed CRSB be developed to ensure that a performance measurement strategy is in place. This plan will help the program manager to better track progress, measure outcomes, support subsequent work, learn and make adjustments for improvement on an ongoing basis. The RMAF will alleviate some of the concerns raised by the program officer and project leaders with respect to the requirement for key performance targets and objectives in order to measure performance of the program. |
A senior officer from the Aquaculture Science Branch (ASB) was sent for RMAF training. | Completed - Summer 2003 | Completed - Summer 2003 | None | N/A |
| This officer will then work with the Review Directorate and regional staff to develop a RMAF for the DFO component of Phase II of the CRSB. | Completed - January 2004 | Completed - January 2004 | None | N/A | |
2. That project success stories and program successes be more broadly communicated among DFO research scientists in order to coordinate individual efforts, find synergies, share experiences and avoid duplication. |
A strategic plan is being drafted which will include a set of research priorities as well as improved mechanisms to coordinate research efforts. There will be continued dialogue between the Aquaculture Science Branch (ASB) and scientists in the regions through teleconferences and regular face to face meetings. | Fall 2003 | On-going, New Science priorities have been determined for the period 2006-2008. |
On-going | On-going |
| Guidelines for setting future research priorities have been drafted and are intended for consultation. | N/A | N/A | |||
| A shared drive for the ASB and the scientists in the regions will be set up to share scientific findings and to coordinate research programs. ASB will also take relevant information gathered in these exchanges for posting on the DFO website. | July 2003 | Completed Spring 2003 |
None | N/A | |
| Success stories will be communicated in the information deck on DFO biotechnology, which will be translated and posted on the DFO website, as well as in a proposed fold up brochure planned to be produced in the future. The biotech fact sheets which are already on the DFO website also contain success stories. | On-going | Brochure completed. |
None | N/A | |
| first stories in April 2003 | Stories completed Completed Spring 2006 |
Stories will be posted on the website, pending ADM approval. | Mid summer 2006. | ||
| These will be updated in the future. | FAQ sheets were updated as necessary | N/A | N/A | ||
| A detailed deck has been developed which gives extensive information on all the DFO biotechnology activities. This has been given to scientists and managers in the regions as well as the Review Directorate. | Completed Spring 2003 |
None | N/A | ||
3. That DFO work with the Canadian Biotechnology Secretariat (CBSec) to develop and implement an on-line project information tracking system that is similar to the CBS Tracking System. This system should be customized to meet DFO’s needs and will permit the program manager, program officers and project leaders to more effectively monitor and evaluate each of the DFO CRSB projects. |
The expansion of the existing CBSec tracking system to include projects funded under CRSB is being discussed by the six departments involved. | Fall 2003 | Interdepartmental activity lead by HC. | No target set | |
| Regardless of the outcome of the interdepartmental discussions, a DFO tracking system will be set up for projects funded by CRSB, Genomics and Stewardship funds, using some aspects of the systems set up for Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program (ACRDP) and being set up for the National Aquatic Animal Health Program (NAAHP) as models. Special consideration will be given to ensure that the information gathered by the DFO system would satisfy the needs of the Canadian Biotechnology Strategy (CBS) community system(s) so that the tracking effort is streamlined. In-house expertise will be considered first and contracting out will also be explored as required. | None | Prototype database completed | End of 2005 | ||
| Database currently being finalized. Designed to facilitate reporting in accordance with RMAF. | Evaluation and implementation of database web resource | Mid 2006 | |||
4. That DFO continue to build and strengthen its capacity in developing regulations for biotechnology-derived aquatic organisms under the Fisheries Act. |
DFO is finalizing an MOU with Environment Canada (EC) on the regulation of aquatic organisms with novel traits, as required under the Canadian Environment Protection Act (CEPA) 1999. | Fall 2003 | MOU Signed in the spring of 2004. Program implementation and further development underway. | None | N/A |
| ASB will be working with Legislative and Regulatory Affairs on the development of CEPA equivalent regulations for aquatic organisms. | 2005 | Initial legal research underway. | N/A | N/A | |
| Secured human resources for development and implementation of aquatic biotechnology regulatory program | N/A | N/A | |||
| Conducted analysis [Severed as per S.23 of the ATIP] on adequacy of existing Fisheries Act authorities | N/A | N/A | |||
| Conducted a regulatory needs and design analysis | N/A | ||||
| Developed legislative options for obtaining explicit statutory authorities | N/A | N/A | |||
| Seek senior management approval for recommended legislative option. | On-going | ||||
| The research group at the West Vancouver Laboratory will receive CRSB funding in the next three years to gather and provide factual information on transgenic fish. These science data will support the development of guidelines for future regulation of transgenic aquatic organisms in natural ecosystems. | 2006 | On-going
First draft of risk assessment methodology guideline under development. |
On-going
Final draft of risk assessment methodology guidelines. |
On-going
2006 |
