Animal Health Import Requirements for Rendered and Inedible Products

TAHD-DSAT-IE-2002-10-9
January 8, 2013

 

Amendments: The import requirement for attestation and certification of dry rendered meals to contain less than 12 % moisture has changed to a requirement for attestation and certification of less than 10% moisture. A phased in implementation of this requirement is being done, so that permits can be switched over time to the new condition. Older permits with the 12% moisture content condition are to be respected until they have been updated. Certification and/or attestations that exceed the permit condition (< than 12% moisture) with the newer requirement (< than 10% moisture) are acceptable until that time.

 

Note: This directive relates to Animal Health import requirements and does not remove any obligation to the Canadian importer to comply with the import requirements of other Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) programs and/or departments, such as the Animal Feed Division, the Fertilizer section of the Plant Production Division, the Meat Programs Division, or the Aquatic Animal Health Division.

Products for human consumption are also regulated by Health Canada through product-specific regulatory programs, which are administered under the authority of the Food and Drugs Act and the Food and Drug Regulations. Veterinary-use products are also regulated by Health Canada. Contact information for Health Canada departments can be found within the Highly Processed Products import procedure, Appendix I. Specific import conditions by commodity can be found in the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS).

Definition

Designated country or zone: means a country or zone determined by the CFIA to be free of reportable and immediately notifiable diseases that either affect or are transmitted by the species of origin of the animal, animal product, or by-product to be imported into Canada. Please note that the recognition of disease freedom by the CFIA is not solely dependent on World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) status or country self-determination. The CFIA uses risk assessment methodology to determine whether a hazard is present in a country and to evaluate the risk of transmission of that hazard resulting from the importation of animals, animal products, or by-products.

Note that Canada accepts OIE classification for country bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) risk categorization; therefore, the CFIA no longer routinely carries out independent assessment regarding a country's BSE categorization. Please refer to the OIE website or the List of Countries by BSE Designation included within this import directive.

Fish meals/oils: for the purposes of this directive, include meals/oils derived from all aquatic non-mammalian animals, including all species of fish and aquatic invertebrates (molluscs, crustaceans, other) or their body parts.

Hydrolysis: a reaction in which tallow is heated with water and either an acid or a base to produce carboxylic acids (also called "fatty acids") and glycerol (an alcohol).1

Mammalian origin: within the context of this directive, includes any farmed animal species (i.e. ruminants [cattle, bison, goats, sheep], cervids, swine, equines, and their exotic relatives) that is not a reptile, avian, or fish.

Prohibited material: as per the Health of Animals Regulations subsection 162(1), is anything that is, or that contains any protein that originated from a mammal, other than the following:

  • a porcine or equine;
  • milk or products of milk;
  • gelatin derived exclusively from hides or skins or products of gelatin derived exclusively from hides or skins;
  • blood or products of blood; or
  • rendered fats, derived from ruminants, that contain no more than 0.15% insoluble impurities or their products.

Rendering plant: According to subsection 2(1) of the Health of Animals Act, a rendering plant is defined as a place where animal by-products are prepared or treated for use in, or converted into, fertilizers, animal food, or fats and oils, except those fats and oils used for human consumption. This includes any place where such products are stored, packed, or marked, or from which they are shipped.

For the purposes of this import procedure, rendered products include the following:

  • all single-ingredient product produced in a rendering plant; and
  • any combination of ingredients in which the finished product is composed of 50% or more of products produced in a rendering plant. Products with 49% or less rendered product ingredients fall under the applicable import requirements related to the finished product. Note that this is applicable to livestock feeds imported in bulk that are formulated with 50% or more of rendered products, regardless of the finished form (meal, pelleted, powder, liquid).

Certain livestock feeds are excluded from this definition of a rendered product, regardless of the finished form. These are those livestock feeds that are as follows:

  • in final packaging;
  • with an approved label; and
  • with either feeds registration or proof of exemption. (Note: These commodities are not covered by this import procedure. Pleasecontact the Animal Feeds Division for information on feed registration and import requirements.)

As per subsection 46(1), and sections 166 and 170 of the Health of Animals Regulations, examples of products from a rendering plant are meat meal, bone meal, meat and bone meal, liver meal, hoof and horn meal, feather meal, fish meal and derivatives, dried blood products, dried bone marrow, poultry digest, tallow (carboxylic esters), and fish oil.

Ruminant: within this directive, means an animal of the subfamily Bovinae and Caprinae and includes cattle, buffalo, bison, sheep, goats, and their exotics' relatives.

Saponification: the process by which triglycerides are reacted with sodium or potassium hydroxide to produce glycerol and a fatty acid salt, also called "soap."

Tallow: odourless, tasteless, waxy white fat consisting of suet (the hard fat around the kidneys and loins of cattle, sheep, and horses) or fats from other animals.

Transesterification: the reaction of a triglyceride (fat/oil) with an alcohol to form esters and glycerol.2

Hydrolysis or transesterification at high temperature and pressure within this directive is defined as processing at not less than 133°C and 3-bar pressure, for not less than 20 minutes or, alternatively, for saponification with 12 Molar NaOH at high temperature and pressure, as processing at 140°C and 2-bar pressure for not less than eight minutes.

Overview of Import Requirements for Rendered Products

Importation of rendered animal protein products from any species (which includes blood meal from all species, feather meal, and fish meal, as defined above) from any country that the CFIA does not recognize to be of negligible risk of BSE is prohibited, unless specific import conditions are described within this directive. The published import conditions can also be found in AIRS. This prohibition on import of rendered animal protein applies to all end uses, including aquaculture and pet product manufacturing (food, treats, chews, etc.). Import conditions for finished pet products can be found within the CFIA import procedures, under Import Policies - Animals Products and By-Products.

An exemption from this prohibition may be considered on a case-by-case basis for certain rendered animal products that are not of ruminant origin. This exemption will only be granted after the successful completion of a risk assessment. Factors for consideration in the risk assessment include, but are not limited to, the zoosanitary status of the country of origin, prior assessment of the veterinary infrastructure, the nature of the product, the process and treatment applied to the product, the end use, and the potential for cross-contamination with ruminant material.

OIE recommendations for reducing the risk of BSE transmission for countries that trade in meals or greaves are that the following is true of the raw material used to produce the meal:

  1. it has been reduced to a maximum particle size of 50 mm before heating; and
  2. it has subsequently been heated under saturated steam conditions to a temperature not less than 133°C for a minimum of 20 minutes at an absolute pressure of 3-bar.

Negligible risk for BSE countries that are not designated free of other important ruminant diseases must have certification stating the ruminant meals or greaves exported to Canada meet the treatment specifications above.

Liquid products for retail sale (not for further processing), such as poultry digest or palatability enhancers, must be accompanied by a certificate of analysis - an original report issued by an independent (third party) laboratory, stating that the product is free from micro-organisms of concern - along with all other documentation required (as listed in Section I - Meals or Greaves). The certificate of analysis must accompany and be linked to the shipment(s). The specific conditions are to be determined prior to importation by Animal Import/Export Division (AIED) Headquarters. This requirement does not apply to fats and oils, such as fish oil or tallow. (See specific provisions for these products in Section II - Rendered Fats and Oils.)

When rendered products are included in prepared final products, such as pet food and fertilizers, importation of these finished commodities must be conducted in accordance with requirements of the directives for the finished product. Please refer to the appropriate directive on the Import Policies - Animals Products and By-Products.

Documentation

Import Permit

Under subsection 166(1) of the Health of Animals Regulations, all products of a rendering plant require an Import Permit for entry into Canada. Other documentation requirements are detailed by commodity within this or other directives, such as the BSE Import Policy. Importers are urged to verify the import conditions for their specific commodity, using AIRS.

The permit application process allows the CFIA to accurately classify imported material. The application provides the CFIA with the required information, including the presence of prohibited mammalian (i.e. ruminant) protein and the end use of the product. The finalized import conditions, listed in detail on the Import Permit, inform importers of their obligations associated with the classification of their imported product. The aim of the detailed listing of import conditions is to improve compliance with keeping prohibited material out of ruminant feeds. Importers must read and are legally required to comply with all of the conditions listed on their Import Permit.

Each shipment must be accompanied by a copy of the permit at the time of importation.

Facility Questionnaire

The Facility Questionnaire (Annex A) must accompany the application for Import Permit.

Certification

An official zoosanitary export certificate, issued by the official veterinary services of the country of origin, and/or a certificate of analysis, which is an original report issued by an independent (third party) laboratory, must (dependent on commodity type) accompany each shipment of rendered product (except for fish oil) and must comply with the requirements in the Import Permit.

Statement From the Renderer

The Statement From the Renderer mustinclude the name and address of the rendering plant that produced the product, the date (range) of production, an indication of the presence or absence of prohibited material, and a statement that the moisture content is lower than 10%.

Shipping Invoice

The shipping invoice must state the name of the consignor and consignee, the product and its end use, and the country of origin.

Note: If the product is made of, or contains, "prohibited material," the shipping invoice must state the names of the consignor and the consignee and indicate that the product contains prohibited material. It must also include on the product label and shipping invoice the following cautionary statement:

"Feeding this product to cattle, sheep, deer or other ruminants is illegal and is subject to fines or other punishment under the Health of Animals Act."

Record-Keeping Requirements for Rendered Products (Meals, Greaves, Fats, and Oils)

Records of the name and address of any place to which the imported product is sold or distributed must be maintained for ten years following importation. These records must be made available for inspection by the CFIA upon request, as required by subsections 166(1) and (2) of the Health of Animals Regulations:

Every person who imports or has the possession, care or control of any product of a rendering plant shall keep a record of a) the name and address of the rendering plant and the date of production of the product; b) the name and address of the exporter; c) the name and quantity of, and any other information that is sufficient to identify, the product; d) the name and address of any person to whom any product is distributed or sold and the information referred to in paragraph c) with respect to that product; and e) whether or not the product is, or contains any, prohibited material.

List of Countries by BSE Designation

The OIE classifies countries for BSE risk into three categories: 1) negligible risk; 2) controlled risk; and 3) undetermined risk.

The following countries are recognized as having a negligible BSE risk in accordance with Chapter 11.5 of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the OIE:

  1. Argentina
  2. Australia
  3. Austria
  4. Belgium
  5. Brazil
  6. Chile
  7. Columbia
  8. Denmark
  9. Finland
  10. Iceland
  11. India
  12. New Zealand
  13. Norway
  14. Panama
  15. Paraguay
  16. Peru
  17. Singapore
  18. Sweden
  19. Uruguay

The following countries are recognized as having a controlled BSE risk in accordance with Chapter 11.5 of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the OIE:

  1. Canada
  2. Chinese Taipei
  3. Croatia
  4. Cyprus
  5. Czech Republic
  6. Estonia
  7. France
  8. Germany
  9. Greece
  10. Hungary
  11. Ireland
  12. Italy
  13. Japan
  14. Latvia
  15. Liechtenstein
  16. Lithuania
  17. Luxembourg
  18. Mexico
  19. Netherlands
  20. Nicaragua
  21. Poland
  22. Portugal
  23. Republic of Korea
  24. Republic of Malta
  25. Slovak Republic
  26. Slovenia
  27. Spain
  28. Switzerland
  29. United Kingdom
  30. United States

General Requirements

In this directive, the requirements for the importation of rendered products are divided into three sections:

Section I - specific requirements for the import of meals and greaves

Section II - specific requirements for the import of fats and oils

Section III - specific requirements for the import of raw inedible products

Section I - Meals or Greaves

Examples of meals or greaves are feather meal, meat meal, and liquid poultry digest.

Note: There are specific requirements forfish meals, dried bovine blood, and blood products.

1. Product of Terrestrial Animal Origin, Not Detailed Elsewhere

1.1 From Negligible Risk for BSE and Designated Countries

a. Import Permit

Each shipment must be accompanied by a copy of the permit, which must be presented at the first point of entry.

b. Official Zoosanitary Export Certificate of Origin

Each shipment must have an official zoosanitary export certificate, clearly describing the product and specifying the country of origin.

1.2 From a Country in Which the Rendering Inspection System Is Recognized as Equivalent to Canada's, Which Is Designated as Free of Diseases of Concern, and Which Is of Controlled Risk for BSE (i.e. the U.S.)

a. Import Permit

Each shipment must be accompanied by a copy of the permit, which must be presented at the first point of entry.

b. Official Zoosanitary Export Certificate

Each shipment must be accompanied by an original export certificate, endorsed by a full-time salaried veterinarian of the central competent veterinary authority. For the U.S., that is the United States Department of Agriculture-Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) or the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS), the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The certificate must attest to the following:

  1. the (indicate name of products) covered by this export certificate and Import Permit #A (indicate Import Permit number) were only produced at (indicate name and address of the producer as identified in the Import Permit) and were only exported to Canada from (indicate name and address of the producer/exporter as identified in the Import Permit);
  2. the producing/exporting facility(ies) does not receive, store, or process any ruminants and things derived from ruminants, and the product has been prepared, processed, stored, and otherwise handled in a manner to avoid contamination with any ruminant tissues or things derived from ruminants; and
  3. the raw materials used to produce the meal have been reduced to a maximum particle size of 50 mm before heating. Subsequently, the raw material has been heated under saturated steam conditions to a temperature of not less than 133°C for a minimum of 20 minutes at an absolute pressure of 3-bar, or the rendered products have a moisture content of less than 10%. (It is a dry product.)

Note: The term "ruminant" designates an animal of the subfamily Bovinae and Caprinae, which includes cattle, buffalo, bison, sheep, goats, and their exotic relatives. Ruminants, along with the things derived from ruminants, of Canadian origin or from a negligible risk for BSE country are exempted and are permitted within the establishment. (For further instructions, please refer to the nearest CFIA Animal Health Office.)

1.3 Liquid Products

Liquid products include such products as poultry digest and fish protein hydrolysate. However, the term does not apply to fats or oils. (Section III, below, includes the specific import conditions for fats and oils.) Note: The 10% moisture content attestation does not apply to liquid products. These products must be accompanied by an Import Permit and the official zoosanitary export certificate, along with the following documentation:

a. Importer's Declaration (signed, dated, and linked to the shipment being imported), stating that the product is as follows:

  1. For further processing - The product is going for further processing in Canada (e.g. to a pet food or feed manufacturer), and the liquid rendered products imported will not be sold at the retail level without further processing to negate micro-organisms of concern; or
  2. For retail sale - The product is going for retail sale in Canada, and the liquid rendered products imported have been processed in a manner to negate micro-organisms of concern and are accompanied by a certificate of analysis (an original report issued by an independent [third party] laboratory and linked to the shipment that states freedom from the micro-organisms of concern). The specific conditions are to be determined prior to importation by TAHD Headquarters. (Details will be listed on the Import Permit accompanying the shipment.)

b. Statement From the Renderer

A statement from the renderer for non-prohibited material must accompany each shipment and must include the name and address of the rendering plant that produced the product, the date of production (range), an indication that the moisture content is lower than 10% (for dry products), and an indication, as follows, that the plant does not handle prohibited material:

"The imported product does not contain any prohibited material, as defined by section 162 of the Health of Animals Regulations. This product may be used in the manufacture of feed for ruminants."

1.4 From Non-Designated Countries Recognized to Be of Negligible BSE Risk by the CFIA

Please note that a permit to import may be issued only after successful completion of a risk assessment. Factors to be considered in the risk assessment include, but are not limited to, the zoosanitary status of the country of origin, prior assessment of the veterinary infrastructure, the nature of the product, the process and treatment applied to the product,the end use, and the potential for cross-contamination with products of a lesser zoosanitary status.

a. Import Permit

Each shipment must be accompanied by a copy of the permit, which must be presented at the first point of entry.

b. Official Zoosanitary Export Certificate

The certificate must be signed by an official full-time veterinarian of the competent authority and state the following:

  1. For meals or greaves that include prohibited (ruminant) material - The raw materials used to produce the meal have been reduced to a maximum particle size of 50 mm before heating. Subsequently, the raw material has been heated under saturated steam conditions to a temperature of not less than 133°C for a minimum of 20 minutes at an absolute pressure of 3-bar.
  2. For meals or greaves that include only non-prohibited (non-ruminant) material - The raw materials used to produce the meal have been reduced to a maximum particle size of 50 mm before heating. Subsequently, the raw material has been heated under saturated steam conditions to a temperature of not less than 133°C for a minimum of 20 minutes at an absolute pressure of 3-bar.
  3. Every precaution was taken during the handling, processing, packaging, and storage to prevent direct or indirect contact of the product with any animal product or by-product of a lesser zoosanitary status.

c. Statement From the Renderer

For non-prohibited material, a statement from the renderer must accompany each shipment and must indicate the name and address of the rendering plant that produced the product, the date of production (range), and that the moisture content is lower than 10% (for dry products). It must also indicate, as follows, that the plant does not handle prohibited material (for liquid products, see Section 1.1 - From Negligible Risk for BSE and Designated Countries):

"The imported product does or does not contain any prohibited material, as defined by section 162 of the Health of Animals Regulations."

1.5 From Non-Designated Countries That Are Not at Negligible Risk of BSE

Terrestrial animal-derived protein is prohibited.

2. Fish Meal

The following countries are currently approved to import fish meal into Canada.

Negligible risk for BSE countries:

  1. Argentina
  2. Australia
  3. Austria
  4. Belgium
  5. Brazil
  6. Chile
  7. Columbia
  8. Denmark
  9. Finland
  10. Iceland
  11. India
  12. New Zealand
  13. Norway
  14. Panama
  15. Paraguay
  16. Peru
  17. Singapore
  18. Sweden
  19. Uruguay

Non-negligible risk for BSE countries:

  1. Mauritania
  2. Mexico
  3. United States

a. Import Permit

Each shipment must be accompanied by a copy of the permit, which must be presented at the first point of entry.

b. Official Zoosanitary Export Certificate

Fish mealhas been approved for import from all negligible risk for BSE countries, as well as for a small number of countries that are not negligible risk for BSE following a successful risk assessment. Please consult AIRS to verify the detailed certification requirements established by country for the countries listed above.

3. Dried Bovine Blood and Blood Meal Products

3.1 From Negligible Risk for BSE and Designated Countries

a. Import Permit

Each shipment must be accompanied by a copy of the permit, which must be presented at the first point of entry.

b. Official Zoosanitary Export Certificate of Origin

Each shipment must have an official zoosanitary export certificate clearly describing the product and specifying the country of origin.

3.2 From Countries (Including the U.S.) Assessed by the CFIA as Free of All Important Ruminant Diseases and of Controlled or Undetermined Risk for BSE

Note that contamination (from cattle aged 30 months or older) of the blood via neural tissue leaking from the penetrative captive bolt stun hole would result in the blood being contaminated with specified risk material (SRM), and the subsequent material would be treated as SRM under Canadian regulations. This is the case whether the SRM contamination of bovine blood was incidental or otherwise.

a. Import Permit

Each shipment must be accompanied by a copy of the permit, which must be presented at the first point of entry.

b. Official Zoosanitary Export Certificate

The Official Zoosanitary Export Certificate should be signed by an official full-time veterinarian of the competent authority, and state that the blood has been collected from bovine animals which were not subjected to a stunning process, prior to slaughter, with a device injecting compressed air or gas into the cranial cavity, or to a pithing process. In addition, the certificate should state that the bovine animals were subjected to both ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection, and after collection via the method indicated below, no contamination of the blood or blood product occurred with the following tissues:

  • the skull including the brain, trigeminal ganglia and eyes; the spinal cord and the vertebral column, excluding the vertebrae of the tail, the transverse processes of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, and the wings of the sacrum; and the palatine tonsils from all bovine animals aged 30 months or older; plus the distal ileum from bovine animals of all ages;
  • and the blood was collected from/using one of the following methods:
    1. bovine animals that were killed using a non-penetrative method, in accordance with humane slaughter practices;3 4 or
    2. bovine animals that are under 30 months of age, as determined by an age determination plan (HACCP-type plan), approved by the veterinary competent authority, with appropriate controls, monitoring, verification, and corrective measures in place, ensuring no incidental inclusion of animals of 30 months or older; or
    3. using a closed collection system in a manner that avoids contamination with the neural tissue leaking from the stun hole of animals aged 30 months or older, whether incidental or otherwise; or
    4. trimming, washing, scraping and/or vacuuming the head hide to remove any grossly visible brain material, with subsequent leakage of brain material from the stun hole is prevented via the application of edible grease to the stun hole area immediately after stunning; and
    5. every precaution was taken to prevent direct or indirect contact during the slaughter, processing, and packaging of the blood/blood product with any animal product or by-product of a lesser zoosanitary status.

Alternative methods of prevention of cross-contamination of Bovinae blood/blood products with SRM will be assessed by the CFIA's review of scientific risk assessments, submitted by the applicant/exporting country before a permit may be issued.

3.3 From Countries Not Designated by the CFIA as Free of All Important Ruminant Diseases and Which Are of Controlled or Undetermined Risk for BSE

Note that contamination (from cattle aged 30 months or older) of the blood via neural tissue leaking from the penetrative captive bolt stun hole would result in the blood being contaminated with SRM, and the subsequent material would be treated as SRM under Canadian regulations. This is the case whether the SRM contamination of bovine blood was incidental or otherwise.

a. Import Permit

Each shipment must be accompanied by a copy of the permit, which must be presented at the first point of entry.

b. Official Zoosanitary Export Certificate

The Official Zoosanitary Export Certificate must be signed by an official full-time veterinarian of the competent authority, and state that the blood has been collected from bovine animals which were not subjected to a stunning process, prior to slaughter, with a device injecting compressed air or gas into the cranial cavity, or to a pithing process. In addition, the certificate should state that the bovine animals were subject to both ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection and that, after collection via the method indicated below, no contamination of the blood or blood product occurred with the following tissues:

  • the skull including the brain, trigeminal ganglia and eyes; the spinal cord and the vertebral column, excluding the vertebrae of the tail, the transverse processes of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, and the wings of the sacrum; and the palatine tonsils from all bovine animals aged 30 months or older; plus the distal ileum from bovine animals of all ages;
  • and the blood was collected from/using one of the following methods:
    1. bovine animals that were killed using a non-penetrative method, in accordance with humane slaughter practices;3 4 or
    2. bovine animals that are under 30 months of age, as determined by an age determination plan (HACCP-type plan), approved by the veterinary competent authority, with appropriate controls, monitoring, verification, and corrective measures in place, ensuring no incidental inclusion of animals of 30 months or older; or
    3. using a closed collection system in a manner that avoids contamination with the neural tissue leaking from the stun hole of animals aged 30 months or older, whether incidental or otherwise; or
    4. trimming, washing, scraping and/or vacuuming the head hide to remove any grossly visible brain material, with subsequent leakage of brain material from the stun hole prevented via the application of edible grease to the stun hole area immediately after stunning; and
    5. the manufacturing method for the blood and blood products included heating to a minimum core temperature of 70°C for at least 30 minutes; and
    6. every precaution was taken to prevent direct or indirect contact during the slaughter, processing, and packaging of the blood/blood product with any animal product or by-product of a lesser zoosanitary status.

Alternative methods of prevention of cross-contamination of Bovinae blood/blood products with SRM will be assessed by the CFIA's review of scientific risk assessments, submitted by the applicant/exporting country before a permit may be issued.

Section II - Rendered Fats and Oils

(Requirements for fish oils, tallow, or suet showing a maximum level of insoluble impurities of 0.15% in weight, and their derivatives, mixed oils, yellow grease, and used cooking oils [restaurant waste].)

1. Fish Oil From All Countries and for All End Uses, Other Than for Human Consumption

If fish oil is being imported for human consumption, see the Import Inspection Program of the CFIA's Fish and Seafood Division for import requirements.

Note: Each shipment of less than one litre of fish oil, as defined within this directive, for scientific use (research or diagnostic uses) must be accompanied by the importer's declaration (a signed and dated letter), stating that the fish oil is for in vitro laboratory use and will not be fed, in any form, to any animal; in addition, the declaration must state that the fish oil will not be used as or incorporated into a fertilizer.

Import Permit

Subsection 166(1) of the Health of Animals Regulations specifies that records must be kept for a minimum of 10 years. (See Documentation section, under Overview of Import Requirements for Rendered Products, in the introduction to this directive.)

1.1 Avian and Mammalian Fats and Oils

Note: Fat and oil products for human consumption, not being "rendered" products, do not all require an import permit from all countries of origin. These products fall under the authority of both the Meat Inspection Act and its Regulations, as well as pertinent sections of the Health of Animals Act and its Regulations, and the Food and Drugs Act and its Regulations. Import conditions may vary based on assessments of these products and the equivalency of the country of origin. Importers are urged to verify import conditions by specific country of origin via the Meat Hygiene Manual of Procedures, Chapter 10, Annex A; or in AIRS.

A non-bovine origin fat or oil that is produced on a fully dedicated line will be classified according to the category of species of origin, and must be accompanied by an official veterinary certificate to that effect (i.e. line dedication), along with the other requirements listed in the pertinent section below (points 2, 3, and 4).

The fat or oil that is produced on a non-dedicated line will be considered amixed Bovinae fat or oil, due to the risk of cross-contamination with bovine fats and oils,and will have to meet either the certificate of analysis (an original report issued by an independent, or third party, laboratory) requirements for tallow with less than or equal to 0.15% insoluble impurities (points 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) or the zoosanitary export certificate requirements for tallow with greater than 0.15% insoluble impurities (point 2.3b).

Line dedication, or its absence, and the subsequent specific import conditions will be indicated on the Import Permit conditions which must accompany and be linked to the shipment.

2. Tallow With Less Than or Equal to 0.15% Insoluble Impurities of Bovine Origin

2.1 Tallow With Less Than or Equal to 0.15% Insoluble Impurities of Bovine Origin and Mixed Fats or Oils of Any Origin (Avian or Mammalian) for All End Uses, and Yellow Grease and Post-Consumer Cooking Oil for Animal Feed or Further Processing From Any Country

(Note: For bovine origin fats and oils to be used for human consumption, extra certification requirements are listed at 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4.)

a. Import Permit

Note that products for human consumption do not all require an import permit from all countries of origin. Verify import conditions by specific country of origin via the Meat Hygiene Manual of Procedures, Chapter 10, Annex A; or in AIRS.

Each shipment must be accompanied by a copy of the permit (if required), and the import permit, when required, must be presented at the first point of entry.

b. Certificate of Analysis

The certificate of analysis, which is an original report issued by an independent (third party) laboratory, showing a maximum level of insoluble impurities of 0.15% in weight, as established using the American Oil Chemists' Society (AOCS) method Ca 3a-46, must be tied directly to the shipment being imported. The testing methodology may be obtained by contacting AOCS at the following address:

AOCS
P.O. Box 17190
Urbana, IL 61802-6996 USA
general@aocs.org

c. Importer's Declaration (signed and dated), stating whether the product is intended for human consumption or inedible/industrial uses, must be tied to the shipment for export.

2.2 Tallow With Less Than or Equal to 0.15% Insoluble Impurities of Bovine Origin for Human Consumption From Negligible Risk of BSE Country

a. Official Meat Inspection Certificate (OMIC), also known as an Official Zoosanitary Export Certificate; and

b. Certificate of Analysis

The certificate of analysis, which is an original report issued by an independent (third party) laboratory, showing a maximum level of insoluble impurities of 0.15% in weight, as established using the AOCS method Ca 3a-46, must be tied directly to the shipment being imported. The testing methodology may be obtained by contacting AOCS at the coordinates above.

Importers are urged to verify import conditions by specific country of origin via the Meat Hygiene Manual of Procedures, Chapter 10, Annex A; or in AIRS.

2.3 Tallow With Less Than or Equal to 0.15% Insoluble Impurities of Bovine Origin for Human Consumption From Controlled Risk of BSE Country

a. OMIC/Official Zoosanitary Export Certificate

The official veterinary certification must state the following:

  1. that the tallow was derived from animals that were stunned using a BSE slaughter process and not subjected, prior to slaughter, to a stunning process with a device that injected compressed air or gas into the cranial cavity;
  2. that the product was not prepared from and was not contaminated with the following:
    • distal ileum of bovine animals of all ages; and
    • palatine tonsils; the skull, including the brain, trigeminal ganglia and eyes; the spinal cord and the vertebral column (excluding the vertebrae of the tail, the transverse processes of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, and the wings of the sacrum) from all bovine animals aged 30 months or older.

and

b. Certificate of Analysis

The certificate of analysis, which is an original report issued by an independent (third party) laboratory, showing a maximum level of insoluble impurities of 0.15% in weight, as established using the AOCS method Ca 3a-46, must be tied directly to the shipment being imported. The testing methodology may be obtained by contacting AOCS at the coordinates above.

Importers are urged to verify import conditions by specific country of origin via the Meat Hygiene Manual of Procedures, Chapter 10, Annex A; or in AIRS.

2.4 Tallow With Less Than or Equal to 0.15% Insoluble Impurities of Bovine Origin for Human Consumption From Undetermined Risk of BSE Country

a. OMIC/Official Zoosanitary Export Certificate

The official veterinary certification must state the following:

  1. that the tallow was derived from animals that were stunned using a BSE slaughter process and not subjected to air injection stunning and pithing; and
  2. that the product was not prepared from and was not contaminated with the following:
    • distal ileum of bovine animals of all ages; and
    • palatine tonsils; the skull, including the brain, trigeminal ganglia and eyes; the spinal cord and the vertebral column (excluding the vertebrae of the tail, the transverse processes of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, and the wings of the sacrum) from all bovine animals aged 12 months or older.

and

b. Certificate of Analysis

The certificate of analysis, which is an original report issued by an independent (third party) laboratory, showing a maximum level of insoluble impurities of 0.15% in weight, as established using the American Oil Chemists' Society (AOCS) method Ca 3a-46, must be tied directly to the shipment being imported. The testing methodology may be obtained by contacting AOCS at the coordinates above.

Importers are urged to verify import conditions by specific country of origin via the Meat Hygiene Manual of Procedures, Chapter 10, Annex A; or in AIRS.

3. Suet (Tallow With Greater Than 0.15% Insoluble Impurities) and Its Derivatives

(Tallow with greater than 0.15% insoluble impurities derived from the carcasses of animals of the sub-family Bovinae for any end use.)

3.1 From Negligible Risk of BSE Countries

a. Import Permit

Each shipment must be accompanied by a copy of the permit, which must be presented at the first point of entry.

b. OMIC/Official Zoosanitary Export Certificate

The official zoosanitary export certificate should clearly describe the product and specify the country of origin.

3.2 From Controlled Risk of BSE Countries

a. Import Permit

Each shipment must be accompanied by a copy of the permit, which must be presented at the first point of entry.

b. OMIC/Official Zoosanitary Export Certificate

The official veterinary certification must state the following:

  1. that the product was derived from bovine animals which were not subjected, prior to slaughter, to a stunning process with a device that injected compressed air or gas into the cranial cavity, or to a pithing process, and which were subject to and passed ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection; and
  2. that the product was not prepared from or was not contaminated with the following:
    • the distal ileum of all ages of bovine animals; and
    • palatine tonsils; the skull, including the brain, trigeminal ganglia and eyes; the spinal cord and the vertebral column (excluding the vertebrae of the tail, the transverse processes of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, and the wings of the sacrum) from all bovine animals aged 30 months or older.

3.3 Tallow With Greater Than 0.15% Insoluble Impurities From Undetermined Risk of BSE Countries Is Restricted.

3.4 Derivatives of Tallow With Greater Than 0.15% Insoluble Impurities From Undetermined Risk of BSE Countries

a. Import Permit

Each shipment must be accompanied by a copy of the permit, which must be presented at the first point of entry.

b. OMIC/Official Zoosanitary Export Certificate

The official veterinary certification must state that the product(s) was/were as follows:

  1. derived from bovine animals from a negligible BSE risk country;
  2. derived from bovine animals from a controlled risk country, which meet all of the conditions listed in 3.2b; or
  3. produced by hydrolysis, saponification, or transesterification, using high temperature and pressure, as defined in this directive. (See detailed attestation requirements under "General Requirements.")

4. Other Fats and Oils

4.1 From Designated Countries

To be considered as "designated," the country of origin must be assessed by the CFIA as free of the following diseases of the species concerned:

Non-Bovinae ruminant origin - from countries designated by the CFIA as free from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and recognized to be of negligible risk for BSE.

Swine origin - from countries designated by the CFIA as free from swine vesicular disease, African swine fever, classical swine fever, and FMD.

Poultry origin - from countries designated by the CFIA as free from Newcastle disease and highly pathogenic avian influenza (fowl plague).

a. Import Permit

Each shipment must be accompanied by a copy of the permit, which must be presented at the first point of entry.

b. OMIC/Official Zoosanitary Export Certificate

The official zoosanitary export certificate should clearly describe the product and specify the country of origin.

4.2 From Non-Designated Countries

A permit to import may be issued only after successful completion of a risk assessment, considering the animal health status of the country, the nature of the product to be imported, the process and treatment applied to the product, the potential cross-contamination after processing, and the end uses of the product.

Section III - Raw Inedible Animal Products and By-Products

Note: Raw inedible fish (non-mammalian, aquatic animal derived) product conditions are under review by the Aquatic Animal Health Division of the CFIA.

These products are also covered by the Meat Inspection Act and the Meat Inspection Regulations, as well as the Health of Animals Act and the Health of Animals Regulations. The importer of raw inedible animal products/by-products must refer to the Meat Hygiene Manual of Procedures, Chapter 10, Annex A, for country-specific requirements. For any additional requirements beyond those listed in this directive regarding importation of aquaculture commodities, please refer to the Aquatic Animal Imports section. The importer should also verify import conditions in AIRS.

1. From the U.S.

The CFIA requires an Official Meat Inspection Certificate, or OMIC (inedible). Please refer to Meat Hygiene Manual of Procedures, Chapter 10, Annex A, for information on the United States.

2. From Other Designated Countries

The following products are permitted with an OMIC (inedible):

a. Ruminant origin - from countries designated by the CFIA as free from FMD and recognized to be of negligible risk for BSE.

b. Swine origin - from countries designated by the CFIA as free from swine vesicular disease, African swine fever, classical swine fever (hog cholera), and FMD.

c. Poultry origin - from countries designated by the CFIA as free from Newcastle disease and highly pathogenic avian influenza (fowl plague).

The Terrestrial Animal Health Program requires that the official zoosanitary export certificate state that the animals from which the products are derived were raised and slaughtered in that country, and that the country is free of the above-mentioned diseases (as applies to the species of origin). Please refer to the Meat Hygiene Manual of Procedures, Chapter 10, Annex A, which lists import conditions by country; or to AIRS.

3. From Non-Designated Countries

a. Ruminant raw inedible animal parts from countries not recognized to be of negligible BSE risk or free of FMD by the CFIA are prohibited.

b. Non-Ruminant Raw Inedible Animal Parts

Case-by-case evaluation by AIED Headquarters is required. If permission is granted, the importation will require an Import Permit and an OMIC (inedible).

 

Annex A - Facility Questionnaire

Importation of Non-Ruminant Rendered Products From Countries of Controlled Risk for BSE

A product of a rendering plant can only be imported into Canada under a permit issued under section 160 of the Health of Animals Regulations (See definition of "Rendering products").

Requests for approval for importation of rendered products from countries of controlled risk for BSE5 (which are also free of other important terrestrial animal diseases and whose rendering inspection system has been assessed as equivalent to Canada's by the CFIA) require that the Canadian importer fill out the Application for Permit to Import (CFIA/ACIA 5083) - PDF (770 kb), and complete the questionnaire below.

Currently, for terrestrial animal (mammal and avian) meals, only the U.S. has met the above requirements.

For fish meals (all aquatic non-mammalian animals, including invertebrates), the following countries have been approved for imports to Canada: Mauritania, Mexico, Peru, and the U.S. Countries classified as negligible risk for BSE are automatically approved for import of fish meals to Canada.

The exporting establishments of fish meal from all the above countries must complete the questionnaire, and have it endorsed by the central competent veterinary authority, in order to ensure that no prohibited material is mixed with the fish meal.

No questionnaire is required for the import of fish oils, as defined within this directive.

Once completed, the questionnaire below must be endorsed and certified, or signed, as the case may be, by all of the following authorities:

  1. the management of the facility listed in question 1 below;
  2. the applicant for the Import Permit, must be a Canadian resident, to acknowledge having read and being aware of the contents of the questionnaire; and
  3. a full-time, salaried veterinarian of the federal government agency who is responsible for animal health in the country of origin (i.e. for the U.S., either from the United States Department of Agriculture [USDA] or from the United States Food and Drug Administration [US FDA] or by a full-time, salaried veterinarian of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA]).

Completed and endorsed questionnaires are valid for one year past the date of endorsement by the central competent veterinary authority (CCA). An importer may renew the validity period of the questionnaire for each subsequent year, provided there have been no changes within the establishment. This no-change status to the information within the original questionnaire is to be confirmed by having a dated, signed, stamped CCA letterhead letter tied to the original questionnaire, indicating that there have been no changes at the exporting establishment, and that this has been confirmed by the CCA.

1. Complete the name and the address of the facility where your product is processed, produced, packaged, stored, or otherwise handled. (Note: a questionnaire must be completed for each facility.)


2. In the following area, list (and please number) all animal-origin materials received, stored, processed, or otherwise handled in this facility; list the type of ingredients, species of origin, and country of origin. (If more space is needed, include an attachment.)

Type
(e.g. meals, offals, meat, tallows, egg, milk, blood, gelatin)		 Species of Origin Country of Origin
     
     

These are provided as examples only, and your facility may have other animal origin materials. Please list all animal-origin materials in your facility(ies).

3. List all products that will be exported to Canada and the individual ingredient list by product. (Attach list or label if necessary.)


Comments:


4. For dry rendered products only:

a. Is the moisture content of the rendered meals manufactured, stored, processed, or otherwise handled in this facility less than 10%?

Yes

No

b. If "No," indicate moisture content:

5. For liquid products (e.g., poultry digest or fish protein hydrolysate):

a. Is the product for further processing in Canada?

Yes

No

b. If "No," please indicate the processing time and temperature, or pH or other processing that the product has undergone.

6. For fats and oils of animal origin (including yellow grease or used fats or oils from commercial enterprises):

a. Is the oil/fat a single species origin product?

Yes If "Yes," which species:

No If "No," describe:

For bovine origin oil or fat (sole source or mixed product - see Section II - Rendered Fats and Oils):

b. Does the product contain less than 0.15% insoluble impurities?

Yes If "Yes," attach a certificate of analysis6 from an independent third party.

No

7. What is the name of the competent federal regulatory agency (e.g., for U.S.-origin product, USDA/APHIS/FSIS or FDA or NOAA) which oversees (inspects and approves) the production of your product and which has the authority to provide government certification for materials being exported to Canada?


Signature of Canadian Importer


Title of Canadian Importer

Date (yyyy/mm/dd)


Signature of Facility Official


Title of Facility Official

Date (yyyy/mm/dd)

 

Official Seal


Signature of Veterinary Inspector


Title of Veterinary Inspector


Name of Veterinary Inspector

Date (yyyy/mm/dd)

For fish (aquatic animal) meals only:

The section below should only be completed for fish meal facilities if they were inspected by a non-veterinary inspector (such as a NOAA). The questionnaire must be endorsed or counter-endorsed by an official full-time, salaried federal government veterinarian.

 

Official Seal


Signature of Inspector


 Title of Veterinary Inspector


Name of Veterinary Inspector

Date (yyyy/mm/dd)

 

Official Seal


Signature of Official Government Veterinarian


Title of Official Government Veterinarian


Name of Official Government Veterinarian

Date (yyyy/mm/dd)

1. Encyclopaedia Britannica Online

2. Biodiesel, Energy Systems Research Unit, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Strathclyde.

3. Dr. Temple Grandin, Animal Welfare in Slaughter Plants, 1996.

4. Stun Box, Jarvis Engineering Technologies (N.Z.) Ltd.

5. See the OIE list of Member Countries' BSE Risk Status.

6. Using the American Oil Chemists' Society (AOCS) method Ca 3a-46 (AOCS P.O. Box 17190, Urbana, IL 61802-6996 USA, general@aocs.org).