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*Following Tuesday’s announcement of the 2008 Federal Budget by Minister Flaherty, the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) has announced that it's pleased to see that $33 million will be allocated to the Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD). *

However, CHFA believes that the Government missed an opportunity through the tax system to enable Canadians to better manage their health.

“The Government is to be applauded for recognising the importance of responding to Canadians,” said CHFA President and CEO, Penelope Marrett. “A robust and thriving natural health products (NHP) industry will help to ensure that Canadians have access and choice when they're seeking NHPs.

However, Marrett said that, as a regulator, what's needed is A-based funding for NHPD, since they're currently dealing with a serious backlog of applications from 2004, when the regulations came into being.

“This backlog is of grave concern to our members,” said Marrett. "We've already seen how this backlog has had a very negative impact on our industry, which includes many small businesses. Most importantly, we're worried that this backlog is hindering the supply of these products to Canadians, many of whom rely on NHPs for their health and well-being.

“The government needs to do more to strengthen the ability of Canadians to better manage their own care, including the use of NHPs,” said Marrett. “Enhancing self-care is of primary importance to Canadians and will save Canada’s health system millions of dollars a year.”

Background NHPs have become increasingly popular as Canadians look for better ways to manage their health. Over 75% of Canadians purchased natural health products in 2005, according to an Ipsos Reid survey. NHPs available in Canada include vitamins and minerals, herbal remedies, homeopathic medicines, and traditional Chinese medicines. The Canadian NHP industry is currently valued at over $2.5 billion and is growing. * About CHFA* The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) is a non-profit, federally chartered trade association. Its 1,300 members include retailers, wholesalers, distributors, manufacturers, consultants and other associations that are involved in a variety of industry sub-sectors, such as supplements, vitamins, herbals, homeopathics, sports nutrition products, natural foods and organic products.