CPMA's Pandemic Planning Guide

It was good to visit with Jane Proctor of CPMA about the Produce Traceability Initiative this afternoon, drawing on her observations as to the difference between U.S. and Canadian government interest in the topic and thoughts about comparative industry adoption.

On another topic, she noted the development of a pandemic planning guide by CPMA. I thought I would share what they have put together. From Friday's edition of CPMA's Produce Now update:


Finalization of the CPMA Pandemic Planning Guide for the Fresh Produce Industry
The fresh produce industry is unique among the majority of food industries which supply the Canadian marketplace. There are over 400 different species of fresh fruits and vegetables from over 150 different countries consumed in Canada every year. Conversely, Canada exports $1 billion worth of horticultural products every year. Trading in fresh produce means “just in time” shipping, delivery, receiving and marketing to ensure the highest level of quality while fulfilling demand for product. Fresh produce is both highly perishable and an essential component of healthy diets for Canadians.
Due to these characteristics, the fresh produce industry will be singularly challenged in the event of an influenza pandemic. Even though the respective government agencies have indicated that in a pandemic situation the border between Canada and the United States would remain open, this is not a certainty. Border closures would have an extreme impact on the fresh produce industry. Similarly, any human resource shortages at border points would also negatively impact the flow of fresh produce into and from the Canadian marketplace.
The purpose of the CPMA Pandemic Planning Guide is to assist stakeholders in the fresh produce industry to plan, prepare, respond and recover from an emergency event. This includes impacts due to border closures; transportation, employee, or energy shortages; a population shift away from consumption of perishables and a slowing in monetary exchange amongst business partners, etc. The Guide is organized into four main sections which cover an overview of an Influenza Pandemic, Roles and Responsibilities, General Practices and Specific Practices/Considerations. Each section provides information and tools for individual organizations to adapt and use within their own emergency planning and business continuity activities.
The CPMA Pandemic Planning Guide is available here.
This resource tool is free of charge to everyone. At time of writing The CPMA Pandemic Planning Guide is being translated to French and will be available shortly.