These specific ingredients were identified to be the highest risk based on a comparative analysis of livestock feed imports conducted by CFIA (Canadian Food Insection Agency)and they are not looking at import controls on any other feed ingredients at this time.
The inspector of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has declared an order imposing conditions in relation to secondary control zones in respect of African swine fever. The order includes new import requirements for unprocessed grains and oilseeds as well as associated meals destined for use in livestock feed sourced from countries that have reported an active case of ASF in domestic or wild pigs within the last five years. The new requirements went into implementation on March 29th.
On March 29, secondary control zones were declared by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food under subsection 27.1(2) of the Health of Animals Act in respect of ASF. On the 29th, an order was made under subsection 27.1(3) of that Act designating things as being capable of being affected or contaminated by ASF. The Minister has the power under subsection 27.1(4) of that Act to, by order, prohibit or impose conditions on — including requiring a permit for — removing from, moving within or taking into a secondary control zone a designated thing.
A CFIA inspector may go on-site at destination facilities to review records and to verify the conditions of import have been met.
According to the Animal Nutrition Association of Canada (ANAC) these specific ingredients were identified to be the highest risk based on a comparative analysis of livestock feed imports conducted by CFIA and they are not looking at import controls on any other feed ingredients at this time.
Although feed represents a much lower risk vector for the introduction of ASF into Canada compared to travelers and the importation of illegal meat products, the serious implications to the domestic swine herd if this disease were to enter the country has resulted in a thorough evaluation of all potential risks, including feed. Based on CFIA’s evaluation of this risk, as well as work conducted by a government-industry working group focused on feed ingredients, these import requirements were deemed justified to help minimize the risk of ASF introduction into Canada.
It should be noted that controls on feed imports are only one of the many measures considered or implemented by the government to prevent ASF from entering Canada.
Once the new import requirements are published, all registered importers through CFIA’s Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) will receive an email notification providing details on the changes. Given the short timeframe given by CFIA, any shipments that departed on or before March 29th will not be subject to the new requirements. As well, any shipments planned for export shortly after March 29th will be evaluated on a case by case basis by CFIA for acceptance into Canada.
CFIA has shared with ANAC the notice to industry which outlines these changes. However, details around the import requirements are not yet published or available but ANAC will share them as soon as they become available. If you currently source unprocessed grains and oilseeds or their associated meals from the countries of concern, please contact your local veterinarian. •
— Source CFIA and ANAC
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