Canadian lobster suppliers are accused of taking part in a scheme that imported live lobsters from the United States and then exported them to foreign markets as products of Canada.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) brought the charges against Nova Scotia-based Atlantic ChiCan Seafood, doing business as Atlantic Scotia Limited, located in Clark's Harbour, Nova Scotia, and Shang Long HE in Richmond, British Columbia.
Atlantic ChiCan Seafood was the company responsible for importing live lobster from the U.S. and exporting it to foreign markets as “Product of Canada,” according to a CBSA press release, while Shang Long made false statements regarding the origin, weight, and value of the lobster.
The charges under the Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA) pertain to packaging and selling a food commodity in a manner that is false, misleading, or deceptive regarding its origin. They companies also failed to prepare and keep documentation with regard to the traceability of the lobster, CBSA said.
Atlantic ChiCan Seafood and Shang Long are scheduled to appear in Yarmouth Provincial Court in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, on 17 May.
“The CBSA is committed to working with our partners to protect the safety and security of Canadians and our economy. Working with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency allows each agency to leverage our individual expertise to investigate trade-related crime and combat trade fraud,” CBSI Intelligence and Enforcement Director, Atlantic Region, Dominic Mallette said.
