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Proposed Changes to National Traceability Programs

Proposed Changes to National Traceability Programs Update 2023
Regulatory changes are coming to national livestock traceability in Canada. 

Regulatory Amendment Timelines

2013 - CFIA launched consultation on trace regulation amendments

2016 – Initial target date for new regulations

2016-2022 – Ongoing discussions regarding proposed regulatory package

2022 – CFIA signals ‘go/no-go’ decision on proposed amendments

2023 – Proposed Regulations to Canada Gazette 1

2024 - Proposed regulations to Canada Gazette 2

2025 – Coming into force of new trace regulations

Movement reporting across value chain:

  • Receiving sites report he move in of animals, with a few exceptions.
  • Animals transported with a movement document.
  • Exporters report move-outs, importers report o move-ins
  • Reports to include departure and destination sites by PID, loading/unloading dates and times, conveyance information, identification of animals’7-day reporting period
  • Requirements extended to sheep, goats, cattle, bison and cervids.
  • Regulated parties to include anyone and everyone who has care and custody of regulated species.
    • Farms, feedlots, assembly yards, community pastures, transporters, feed/water/rest stations, auction marts, abattoirs, deadstock, fairs and exhibitions, vet clinics, etc.

Future State

  • Premise ID(s) required to buy tags and report events
  • Tag animals and carcasses as they leave their farm of origin
  • Report the replacement of approved/revoked identifiers wit list of specific details
  • Report disposal of carcasses bearing approved/revoked identifiers with list of specific detail
  • Report receipt of animals with list of specific details
  • Ensure movement documents accompany all departing animals with list of specific details
  • Report imports with list of specific details
  • Report reports with list of specific details

And it’s not just producers……

  • Intermediate sites (e.g. auction marts, assembly yards, feedlots, fair, exhibition, rodeo, test station, FWR stops)
  • Importers and exporters
  • Abattoirs, renderers, deadstock collectors
  • transporters

CCIA is currently the Responsible Administrator for the Canadian Sheep Identification program, as assigned by the CFIA.

  • CCIA set the program fees – approx. $256,000 in tag fees go to CCIA annually.
  • CSF has MOU with CCIA regarding program delivery.
  • CSF sits on the CCIA board of directors.

Proposed Changes to National Traceability Programs 2018-2019

Regulatory changes are coming to national livestock traceability in Canada. 

In 2006, federal, provincial and territorial ministers of agriculture announced the need to develop a national agriculture and food traceability system, starting with livestock and poultry. An industry-government advisory committee was created to discuss the design and implementation of the proposed traceability system.

The CFIA conducted two rounds of national consultations in 2013 and 2015 on proposed amendments to the Health of Animals Regulations dealing with livestock identification and traceability.   Following the publication of the proposed regulations in Part I of the Canada Gazette (www.gazette.gc.ca), stakeholders will have 75 days to review and provide comment. The CFIA will review and consider all comments received prior to finalizing the regulation amendments and publishing them in Part II of the Canada Gazette. Once published in Part II of the Canada Gazette the regulations will be considered final and immediately come into force.

Newsletters developed by the Regulatory Implementation Committee are posted below. These updates provide details about the changes and why they are needed.  It is expected that additional Newsletters will be circulated before the publication of the proposed regulations in Part I of the Canada Gazette.