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Notice of intent: Amendments to Part X of the Health of Animals Regulations regarding conveyances entering Canada that have transported porcines to destinations other than federally supervised slaughterhouses in the United States

This notice of intent is to inform stakeholders that Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) intends to propose regulatory amendments to Part X of the Health of Animals Regulations (HAR). This represents the Amendment to the Health of Animals Regulations (Cross-border Transport Biosecurity Plan as found on the Agency's forward regulatory plan.

These changes would allow conveyances that have transported porcines in the United States (US) to destinations other than federally inspected slaughter facilities to be cleaned and disinfected in Canada under a CFIA-approved program implemented by industry. The purpose of the proposed amendments is to better align the cleaning and disinfecting requirements for conveyances that have transported porcines in the US with Canada's Plant and Animal Health Strategy and current industry practices.

Drivers for change

Currently, the regulations require conveyances that have transported porcines or poultry in the US to be cleaned and disinfected before entering Canada. The objective of the regulatory amendment is to allow for more outcome-based regulations that will enable innovation while continuing to minimize the risk of disease introduction. This will protect the health and welfare of Canada's animal resource base while supporting Canada's access to export markets.

Regulatory context

Currently, subject to a few exceptions, subsection 106 (5.1) of the HAR requires conveyances that have transported porcines in the US to destinations other than federally-supervised slaughterhouses to be cleaned and disinfected before entering Canada.

Proposed changes to the Health of Animals Regulations

The proposed regulatory amendments would allow conveyances that have transported porcines to destinations other than federally regulated slaughterhouses within the US to be cleaned and disinfected on the Canadian side of the border. Cleaning and disinfection in Canada will be permitted under a program implemented by industry, with CFIA acting in an auditing capacity. CFIA will also maintain authority to suspend or cancel the program. The proposed amendments would be made to Part X of the HAR, and will include a mechanism to revert to cleaning conveyances on the US side of the border in the event of non-compliance or animal disease outbreak.

Future opportunities to comment

This notice of intent serves to advise Canadians, members of the public and stakeholders of the proposed regulatory changes to the HAR.

CFIA is currently developing the regulatory proposal and is proposing that it be brought forward for consultation through pre-publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I in Winter 2020.

A public comment period of 75 days will be available for Canadians and other interested parties wishing to provide feedback on the regulatory proposal.

Contact us

If you wish to provide any comments or have questions related to this notice, please submit them to:

Dr. Suminder Sawhney,
National Manager
International Programs Directorate
International Affairs Branch
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
59 Camelot Drive
Ottawa, ON K1A 0Y9
Canada
Telephone: 613-773-7550
Fax: 613-773-7575
Internet: suminder.sawhney@inspection.gc.ca

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