New regulations under the Safe Food for Canadians Act require that Canadian buyers and sellers of fresh fruits and vegetables be a member of the DRC (with a few exceptions).
Non-profit organization
The DRC will become the single entity for licensing for fresh fruits and vegetables in Canada. The Safe Food for Canadians Act was published into Canada Gazette, Part 1 on January 20, 2017. “We are a non-profit, membership-based organization serving the produce sector that offers dispute resolution services,” explained Paola Gonzalez of the DRC. “We provide harmonized standards, procedures and services to our members to help them avoid commercial disputes.” When differences of opinion occur, DRC provides consultation, mediation and arbitration services to resolve the issue in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Risk management tool
The DRC will be exhibiting at Viva Fresh to provide information and advice to its current and potential members. “DRC membership is an excellent risk management tool that allows members to focus on their business while we help them resolve their disputes. DRC’s jurisdiction extends to disputes between members regarding transactions that entered into commerce in North America,” Gonzalez said. Anyone who grows, buys, sells, brokers or provides transportation services for produce would be advised to become a member in order to protect their business.
Membership is open to all firms who conduct business in a country that is a signatory to an internationally recognized mediation/arbitration convention. DRC’s jurisdiction extends to disputes between members regarding transactions that entered into commerce in North America.
