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Annex R: The Canadian Program for Certifying Freedom from Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs) for the Export of Beef to the European Union (EU)

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Glossary

Agri-Traçabilité Québec (ATQ)

Agriculture and food traceability service provider in Québec.

Annex R12: On-site assessment report for Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs) It is an internal document.

Please contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) district veterinarian for more information.

Approved tag

Means a tag, chip or other indicator approved by the Minister under subsection 173(1) of the Health of Animals Regulations. For the purpose of this program, this can be any tag approved under the National Livestock Identification and Traceability Program such as those allocated by Agri-Traçabilité Québec and Canadian Cattle Identification Agency.

Auction Market

An operation which is enrolled in the program where eligible animals may be bought and sold.

Birth farm

A farm which is eligible to enrol calves into the Canadian Program for Certifying Freedom from Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs) for the export of beef to the EU.

Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA)

National administrator for the cattle, bison and sheep traceability program.

CFIA Accepted Transfer Documentation

This consists of the Transfer Certificate (Annex R-7) which includes the name and address of the owner and a unique premises identifier as well as a listing of the animals being transferred indicating their approved tag number, alternate ID (as applicable) and a signed producer declaration, or any other form generated by the owner that contains this information; and a valid copy of the Annual Certificate of Compliance (Annex R-7.1). In the case of farms on a recognized/certified management system, the documentation included must provide the same minimal information mentioned above. The District Veterinarian and the designated Canadian Food Inspection Agency Area Program Specialist will maintain the list of documentation required to be presented at slaughter for each recognized/certified management system.

CFIA Accredited Veterinarian

Within this document, any reference to accredited veterinarian means a private practitioner authorized by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) under the authority of the Health of Animals Act to perform certain duties and functions in support of the CFIA's National Animal Health Program.

CFIA Approved Veterinarian

Within this document, any reference to Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Approved Veterinarian means a CFIA Accredited Veterinarian who is under special agreement with CFIA to deliver this program.

Eligible animal

An animal which, prior to enrollment, has not changed ownership and responsibility for the control of relevant practices applied in its raising and has not been administered any Growth Enhancing Products and, once enrolled, continues to be managed within the parameters of this program.

Feedlot

An operation which is enrolled in the program and backgrounds or finishes eligible cattle for slaughter.

Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs)

Substances having thyreostatic, oestrogenic, androgenic, gestagenic or beta adrenergic action of which the use is prohibited by the EU. A complete list is available in Annex R-2.

GEP program

The Canadian Program for Certifying Freedom from Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs) for the export of beef to the EU.

Mixed status (farm, feedlot, or operation)

A farm or feedlot which has a combination of eligible and non-eligible animals or that has or uses Growth Enhancing Products on the premises.

Producer's declaration

A statement appearing on program enrolment forms and Canadian Food Inspection Agency accepted transfer documentation that is signed by a producer, person designated as responsible for that activity or person in charge at an auction market that indicates they understand the objectives and requirements of this program and take responsibility for relevant practices applied to eligible animals while under their control.

Veterinarian in Charge (VIC)

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency Veterinarian in Charge of a federally registered establishment.

Components of the program

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is the competent authority responsible for certifying meat and meat products to the European Union (EU). In order for CFIA to provide export certification for beef produced without Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs) there must be assurances of effective controls in all applicable phases of cattle production. The following 10 items provide the basic, mandatory components of the Canadian certification program:

Adherence to the 10 mandatory components of this program will be monitored by a CFIA recognized/certified management system or by a CFIA Approved Veterinarian. On-site assessments are performed a minimum of once per year.

EU approved federally registered slaughter establishments

The District Veterinarian will maintain a copy of the specific CFIA accepted transfer documentation that each CFIA recognized/certified management system must provide to the EU approved federally registered slaughter establishments. This information will be provided to the Veterinarian in Charge (VIC) of those establishments by the District Veterinarian as required.

The producer identified on CFIA accepted transfer documentation is responsible for providing advanced notice to the management of the EU approved federally registered slaughter establishment when a load of eligible GEP program cattle, intended for export to the EU is to be delivered. Plant management will in turn notify in advance the VIC regarding the date of arrival.

It is the responsibility of the operator of the Federally Registered Establishment to ensure that EU eligible animals arriving at the facility are sourced from a feedlot who's Annual Certificate of Compliance (Annex R-7.1) has not expired or has a valid CFIA recognized/certified management system certificate or equivalent.

The operator of a slaughter or processing establishment must submit a control program that clearly outlines the controls that will be implemented to ensure that all applicable requirements are met and that eligible products can be readily distinguished from non-eligible products at all times. This control program must be found acceptable by the VIC or Inspector in Charge as the case may be, and must include monitoring, verification and record-keeping activities, deviation procedures and be auditable and effective. The approved control program (in reference to section 1.4.2.2 of EU requirements) utilized by the EU approved federally registered slaughter and/or processing establishment must include the points listed below:

Testing procedures

EU eligible animals slaughtered in EU approved federally registered slaughter establishment will be subjected to a CFIA sampling program to monitor compliance with the EU requirements. Standard sampling program procedures established under the National Chemical Residue Monitoring Program will need to be adhered to. Samples will be taken by CFIA inspection staff and sent for testing to a private laboratory accredited by the Standard Council of Canada as per the instructions contained in the sampling plan. The sampling plan will be updated on a yearly basis or as needed (for example, Approval of a new establishment for export of beef to the EU). The cost of shipping and testing will be the responsibility of the operator of the Federally Registered Establishments. The operator is also responsible to ensure that testing results are forwarded to interested parties as per the instructions contained in the sampling plan in a timely manner.

Additional requirements

The first condition in order for Canadian EU approved federally registered beef establishments to access European Union markets is that the beef must be derived from eligible animals as prescribed under the GEP program described above.

Preferential rate tariff quotas under which Canadian beef may enter the European Union exist. Please refer to section 1.4.2.1 and Annex R-13 of European Union meat export library (ecert) for additional details on these quotas.

Applicants wishing to take advantage of the European Union Tariff Rate Quota for High Quality Beef must apply and submit an enrolment form to the CFIA District Veterinarian and the CFIA Approved Veterinarian to be included in the program. This will allow the beef products derived from the eligible animals to qualify for the EU Tariff Free Quota which is described in European Regulation (EC) 593/2013 (see Annex R-13 for more details).

Annex R-1 Physical checks for the presence of implants

The following 5 points serve to outline procedures that should be done when inspecting animals for the presence of implants at the feedlots and slaughter establishments:

Annex R-2 Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs)

Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs) are drugs containing any ingredient listed below:

Annex R-3 Application Form for Canadian Cattle Producers/ Canadian Auction Market Seeking Approval to Export Growth Enhancing Product Free Bovine Meat to the EU

Check box(es) which apply to this application:

checkbox Cow/Calf operation

checkbox Feedlot operation

checkbox Auction market

Note: only animals that have not changed ownership and responsibility for the control of relevant practices applied in its raising are eligible.

Name of producer/auction market applicant: space

Legal name of business: space

Location: space

Mailing address (if different): space

Canadian Cattle Identification Agency / Agri-Traçabilité Québec / Provincial Premises ID: space

Telephone: space

Facsimile: space

(Complete if applicable.)

Cow-calf producers

I, (Name) space, am a cow-calf producer wishing to enrol calves in the program.

Calving season (indicate months): space

Year of birth: space

Total born (estimate): space

Intended for EU export (estimate): space

If the number of animals born is greater than the number of animals intended for export to the EU, please answer yes or no to the following questions:

Will animals not intended for export to the EU be administered any GEPs?

No or Yes (Check No checkbox or Yes checkbox)

If Yes - Do you have a written alternate identification or segregation program in place? Please provide the appropriate reference (document title, document reference number, etc.) to your written program.
space
space

Applicant initial: space

CFIA Approved Veterinarian initial: space

(Complete if applicable.)

Feedlot operators

I, (Name)space, am a feedlot operator wishing to participate in this program.

Approximate capacity of your feedlot: space

Number of calves intended for export to the EU (estimate): space

Will animals not intended for export to the EU be administered any GEPs?

No or Yes (Check No checkbox or Yes checkbox)

If Yes - Do you have a written alternate identification or segregation program in place? Please provide the appropriate reference (document title, document reference number, etc.) to your written program.
space
space

Applicant initial: space

CFIA Approved Veterinarian initial: space

(Complete if applicable.)

Auction market operators

I, (Name) space, am an auction market operator wishing to participate in this program.

Will animals not intended for export to the EU be administered any GEPs or will any animals coming on the premises possibly be administered GEPs prior to arrival?

No or Yes (Check No checkbox or Yes checkbox)

If Yes – Do you have a written alternate identification and segregation program in place? Please provide the appropriate reference (document title, document reference number, etc.) to your written program.
space
space

Applicant initial: space

CFIA Approved Veterinarian initial: space

Producer's declaration

checkbox I, the undersigned producer, hereby declare that I wish to produce animals whose meat will be eligible for export to the European Union for human consumption, and for that reason, I agree to comply with the producer requirements that are established in the Canadian Program for Certifying Freedom from Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs).

checkbox I am aware, having read and understood the Canadian Program for Certifying Freedom from Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs), having taken note of the list of Growth Enhancing Products that is referenced in Annex R-2 therein, that the European Union prohibits the import of bovine meat for human consumption that has been obtained from cattle being administered any Growth Enhancing Products and that I will be required to give a declaration for each shipment of cattle transferred to any livestock farm or facility, feedlot, or slaughter establishment (as applicable) declaring that the animals have never been administered any Growth Enhancing Products, while under my control.

checkbox I understand that failure to keep proper records (including animal inventories, ear tag replacements records or traceability documentation) or finding evidence of the use of Growth Enhancing Products in an animal presented for this program will result in repercussions up to the possibility of my removal from the program. Also if I have administered animals any Growth Enhancing Products on site I will have a record of purchases (quantity and type), a log of usage and an appropriate written alternate identification/ segregation program.

checkbox All animals which I present for transfer of ownership or slaughter under this program will bear an approved tag and will be accompanied by CFIA accepted transfer documentation to maintain traceability.

checkbox I understand that beef produced under this program may be sampled and subjected to tests that are reliable indicators of Growth Enhancing Products administration. I hereby undertake to give access to my CFIA Approved Veterinarian and/or inspectors from the European Union (EU) or Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to the required records, the premises, and the cattle. I agree to pay all applicable fees.

checkbox I also hereby allow inspectors from the EU or CFIA to obtain any necessary information from my CFIA Approved Veterinarian in order to verify compliance with requirements.

Name and position of the entitled person: space

Signature: space

Date: space

Signed in town/city of: space

in the province of: space

CFIA Approved Veterinarian recommendation

Name: space

Address: space

Signature: space

Date: space

Telephone: space

Facsimile: space

CFIA District Veterinarian approval

Name: space

Address: space

Signature: space

Date: space

Telephone: space

Facsimile: space

To Approved Veterinarian: submit completed application to local CFIA District Veterinarian for final approval.

Distribution of approved Annex R-3:

Annex R-4 Application Form for Canadian Cattle Producers Operating Under a CFIA Recognized/Certified Management System Seeking Approval to Export Growth Enhancing Product Free Bovine Meat to the EU

Check box(es) which apply to this application:

checkbox Cow/Calf operation

checkbox Feedlot operation

Note: only animals that have not changed ownership and responsibility for the control of relevant practices applied in its raising are eligible.

Name of producer applicant: space

Legal name of business: space

Location: space

Mailing address (if different): space

Canadian Cattle Identification Agency / Agri-Traçabilité Québec / Provincial Premises ID: space

Telephone: space

Facsimile: space

(Complete if applicable.)

Cow-calf producers

I, (Name) space, am a cow-calf producer wishing to enrol calves in the program.

Calving season (indicate months): space

Year of birth: space

Total born (estimate): space

Intended for EU export (estimate): space

If the number of animals born is greater than number of animals intended for export to the EU, please answer yes or no to the following question:

Will animals not intended for export to the EU be administered any GEPs?

No or Yes (Check No checkbox or Yes checkbox)

If Yes - Do you have a written alternate identification or segregation program in place? Please provide the appropriate reference (document title, document reference number, etc.) to your written program.
space
space

Applicant initial: space

(Complete if applicable.)

Feedlot operators

I, (Name) space, am a feedlot operator wishing to participate in this program.

Approximate capacity of your feedlot: space

Number of calves intended for export to the EU (estimate): space

Will animals not intended for export to the EU be administered any GEPs?

No or Yes (Check No checkbox or Yes checkbox)

If Yes - Do you have a written alternate identification or segregation program in place? Please provide the appropriate reference (document title, document reference number, etc.) to your written program.
space
space

Applicant initial: space

Producer's declaration

checkbox I, the undersigned producer, hereby declare that I wish to produce animals whose meat will be eligible for export to the European Union for human consumption, and for that reason, I agree to comply with the producer requirements that are established in the Canadian Program for Certifying Freedom from Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs).

checkbox I am aware, having read and understood the Canadian Program for Certifying Freedom from Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs), having taken note of the list of Growth Enhancing Products that is referenced in Annex R-2 therein, that the European Union prohibits the import of bovine meat for human consumption that has been obtained from cattle being administered any Growth Enhancing Products and that I will be required to give a declaration for each shipment of cattle transferred to any livestock farm or facility, feedlot, or slaughter establishment (as applicable) declaring that the animals have never been administered any Growth Enhancing Products, while under my control.

checkbox I understand that failure to keep proper records (including animal inventories, ear tag replacements records or traceability documentation) or finding evidence of the use of Growth Enhancing Products in an animal presented for this program will result in repercussions up to the possibility of my removal from the program. Also if I have administered animals any Growth Enhancing Products on site I will have a record of purchases (quantity and type), a log of usage and an appropriate written alternate identification/ segregation program.

checkbox All animals which I present for transfer of ownership or slaughter under this program will bear an approved tag and will be accompanied by CFIA accepted transfer documentation to maintain traceability.

checkbox I understand that beef produced under this program may be sampled and subjected to tests that are reliable indicators of Growth Enhancing Products administration. I hereby undertake to give access to inspectors from the European Union (EU) or Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to the required records, the premises, and the cattle. I agree to pay all applicable fees.

checkbox I also hereby allow inspectors from the EU or CFIA to obtain any necessary information from my recognized/certified management system in order to verify compliance with requirements.

Name and position of the entitled person: space

Signature: space

Date: space

Signed in town/city of: space

in the province of: space

Please provide with this application a proof or certification allowing CFIA to determine your participation in a recognized/certified management system.

CFIA District Veterinarian approval

Name: space

Address: space

Signature: space

Date: space

Telephone: space

Facsimile: space

To producer: submit completed application to local CFIA District Veterinarian for final approval.

Please note that the official approval of this enrolment will only be valid upon the receipt of a written confirmation from the reviewer(s) or auditor(s) of the CFIA recognized/certified management system to the CFIA District Veterinarian listed on this document that they commit to inform the CFIA District Veterinarian should the membership status of the participating applicant changed in this agreement.

Distribution of approved Annex R-4:

Annex R-5 Register for birth farms

Growth Enhancing Product free cattle

Reference # space
Page space

Name of producer applicant: space

Legal name of business: space

Location and/or Canadian Cattle Identification Agency / Agri-Traçabilité Québec / Provincial Premises ID:
space
space

Register for birth farms
Approved tag # Alternate tag #
(Compulsory for mixed farms)
Transfer certificate # and date

Annex R-6 Register for feedlot operator

Growth Enhancing Product free cattle

Reference # space
Page space

Name of producer applicant: space

Legal name of business: space

Location and/or Canadian Cattle Identification Agency / Agri-Traçabilité Québec / Provincial Premises ID:
space
space

Register for feedlot operator
Approved tag # Feedlot tag # Receiving certificate # and date Pen / Lot Transfer out certificate and date

Annex R-7 Transfer Certificate

Annex R-7 Transfer Certificate
Name and address of owner / Responsible person Date of transfer # of animals Premise ID Reference #
(example: 2011-001)
Are GEPs present on the farm of origin?
Yes checkbox | No checkbox
Were these cattle on community pasture/forestry reserves at any time?
Yes checkbox | No checkbox
Were these cattle sold through a public auction market?
Yes checkbox | No checkbox
Listing of animals can be entered below or attached
Note : Listing of animals can be entered below or attached Check box if listing document is attached checkbox
Approved tag Alternate ID Approved tag (Con't) Alternate ID (Con't)
Transfer to: Name and address of destination
checkbox Farm or feedlot
checkbox Auction market
checkbox Federally Registered Meat Establishment for Slaughter

Producer declaration

I, (Name) space, am the present owner of/the responsible person for the identified animals above or on attached listing consisting of # space pages with reference # space and have directly controlled or take full responsibility for relevant practices applied in their raising while under my control. If the animals have been owned by other persons I am in possession of a copy of the Transfer Certificate like this one from the previous owner or responsible person. I declare that the animals covered by this declaration have not been administered any Growth Enhancing Products when they were under my control.

Signature: space

Date: space

Annex R-7.1 Annual Certificate of Compliance

Canadian Program for Certifying Freedom from Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs)

This Annual Certificate of Compliance is issued to: space

Facility name: space

Responsible individual: space

Address/Location: space

Premises ID (CCIA/ATQ): space

Select the type of operator:

Cow/Calf checkbox

Feedlot operation checkbox

Auction market checkbox

Producer declaration

I, (Name) space, am the CFIA Approved Veterinarian responsible for the identified facility. I certify that, following my on-site assessment, the operator of the above mentioned operation is in compliance with the Canadian Program for Certifying Freedom from Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs) for the Export of Beef to the EU.

Date of the assessment: space

This Certificate of Compliance is valid for 1 year, until (insert the date): space

Signature of the CFIA Approved Veterinarian: space

Datespace

Notes: The maximum validity of this annex is 1 year for birth farms, feedlots and auction markets

On-site assessments are performed using the Annex R12 at least twice a year for feedlots and at least once a year for cow-calf operations and auction markets. Producer is responsible to contact his CFIA Approved Veterinarian and ask for an assessment within 1 month before expiration of the Certificate of Compliance. If the visit is performed within this 1 month time frame the same annual expiry date can be maintained (does not need to be adjusted from the date of assessment).

Distribution of the Certificate of Compliance: Original producer/auction market, 1 copy CFIA District Veterinarian, 1 copy CFIA Approved Veterinarian.

Distribution of the Annual Certificate of Compliance:

Annex R-9 Tag Replacement Report

Facility name: space

Address/Location: space

Premise identifier: space

The animal bearing approved tag number space

(if applicable), was found to have lost its tag but the identity of this animal was confirmed by the following means:
space
space
space

It was retagged with approved tag number: space

Date the animal was retagged and reported: space

Owner/Responsible person (print): space

Signature: space

Annex R-12 On-site Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs) Assessment Report

This is an internal document. For any information please contact your CFIA District veterinarian.

Annex R-13: Requirements for Compliance with the European Union Tariff Rate Quota for High Quality Beef Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 481/2012)

Background

Canadian beef for export to the European Union (EU) must be produced under the existing and EU approved, "Canadian Program for Certifying Freedom from Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs) for the Export of Beef to the EU" and the animals must be slaughtered and processed in CFIA Federally Registered Establishments eligible for export to the European Union. These prerequisites form the foundations addressing issues related to traceability.

In addition to meeting all requirements contained in the GEP program and requirements of CFIA Federally Registered Establishments exporting to the European Union, in order to access the European Union 0% Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) for high-quality, fresh, chilled or frozen beef, the imported products must qualify as high-quality beef as defined in Annex I of European Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 481/2012) as follows:

Within the above definition and within this program, heifers are defined as females which have not yet calved and steers are defined as castrated males and this will be certified by the CFIA Approved Veterinarian based on visual examination of the animals.

Animals slaughtered for export under this quota will be aged according to Canadian standards for ageing by dentition outlined in the EU section of meat export library (Ecert) for details on these quotas. Cattle will be considered as less than 30 months of age (UTM), and therefore eligible for this quota, as long as the animal has only 2 permanent incisors and the first erupting tooth from the second set of permanent incisors is not above the surface of the gum. This will be the sole method for age verification for cattle destined for export under this Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ). Ageing by dentition by the operator is verified by the CFIA inspection staff on every carcass and any carcass for which the age criteria is not met has to be excluded from this Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ).

Feeding procedures

Prior to or during the visit to enroll a feedlot in this program, a CFIA Approved Veterinarian must inform the feedlot of the requirements that need to be met in order to comply with this program and assess the feeding regime of the feedlot and ensure that the following records are maintained at the feedlot operation:

The feedlot operator has the option to have an animal nutritionist work in collaboration with the CFIA Approved Veterinarian to evaluate the feeding regime but the first assessment must be verified by the CFIA District Veterinarian that the CFIA Approved Veterinarian reports to.

Based on a satisfactory records review, the feedlot must then enrol in order to participate in this quota by completing Annex R-14.2 with the CFIA Approved Veterinarian. The feedlot and CFIA Approved Veterinarian must keep a copy of the completed enrolment form for a minimum of 1 year and the CFIA Approved Veterinarian must submit the original signed version to their CFIA District Veterinarian. Eligibility will be valid for 1 year from the date of enrolment so enrolment must be renewed on an annual basis to maintain eligibility to ship under this quota.

The CFIA Approved Veterinarian is responsible for issuing Annex R-14.3 for each load of cattle destined to the European Union which qualify for shipment under this quota. This requires review of records pertaining to the specific animals being shipped. Annex R-14.3 when completed and signed by the CFIA Approved Veterinarian provides the assurance to the CFIA's Veterinarian in Charge (VIC) at the slaughter plant that the animals listed on the Transfer Certificate referenced in the Annex R-14.3 have met the feeding requirements for a minimum of 100 days prior to slaughter. Note that this attestation is provided in addition to the documentation required for the GEP program as the GEP program is a prerequisite for this quota.

The CFIA Approved Veterinarian and the feedlot must each retain a copy of the feeding records which were used to perform the evaluation of the rations along with a copy of Annex R-14.3 for a minimum of 2 years. The VIC at the slaughterhouse must retain a copy of Annex R-14.3 for 2 years. All records mentioned above must be made available to the CFIA, a CFIA Approved Veterinarian or a European Union official on demand.

The specific methods for certifying that the feeding requirements are met are described in the following points.

Requirement that animals have been fed a diet, for at least the last 100 days before slaughter, containing not less than 62% of concentrates and/or feed grain co-products on a dietary dry matter basis that meet or exceed a metabolizable energy content greater than 12.26 mega joules per 1 kilogram of dry matter.

Although the format of feed recording documents may vary from 1 feedlot to another, the feedlot is required to maintain records which identify the concentrates and/or feed grain co-products in a ration along with their percentages on a dry matter basis.

Data from the National Research Council's "Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle: Seventh Revised Edition: Update 2000 0309592429" also provides the metabolizable energy values for concentrates and/or feed grain co-products in the feedlot's ration formulation documents. Based on the percentages of each ingredient in the ration and the metabolizable energy values for the ingredients, the CFIA Approved Veterinarian must evaluate each ration to determine which rations contain not less than 62% of concentrates and/or feed grain co-products on a dietary dry matter basis and also which rations meet or exceed a metabolizable energy content greater than 12.26 mega joules per kilogram of dry matter. A ration that meets both of these requirements would be considered a qualifying ration.

Under the GEP program, there is a requirement to maintain animal inventory lists (Annex R-6) using unique animal identification. There is also a requirement to assign the individual animals to a pen or lot number in Annex R-6.

In addition to this, feedlot operators are required to maintain records indicating the date on which each new ration is started in a particular pen or lot number. The recorded date that qualifying rations are started in a pen or lot number and the allocation of individual animals to pens or lot numbers in Annex R-6 provides the CFIA Approved Veterinarian with the necessary documentation to identify the 100 day period required for this quota.

Evaluation of the ration formulation, level of concentrate and energy contents of ingredients may be performed by the CFIA Approved Veterinarian in conjunction with a nutritionist. However, it is the responsibility of the CFIA Approved Veterinarian, and not the nutritionist, to attest that these feeding requirements have been met in Annex R-14.3 which must be generated for each shipment of cattle sent to slaughter under this program. Annex R-14.3 is linked to a transfer certificate through the unique reference number on the transfer certificate and the transfer certificate identifies the animals being shipped according to their unique identification tag.

Requirement that animals are fed, on average, not less than 1.4% of live body weight per day on a dry matter basis for at least the last 100 days before slaughter.

Feedlot yard sheets and other information, as necessary, must be provided to the CFIA Approved Veterinarian in order to evaluate average Dry Matter Intake as a percentage of Live Body Weight during the feeding period.

Note that there may be a period of adjustment when cattle first arrive at the feedlot during which their intakes may lie below the 1.4% level, however, the average for the 100 day period must be not less than 1.4% of live body weight per day on a dry matter basis.

The information on the average amount of feed for the 100 day period must be attested to by the CFIA Approved Veterinarian in Annex R-14.3 for each shipment of cattle sent to slaughter under this program. Annex R-14.3 is linked to a transfer certificate through the unique reference number on the transfer certificate and the transfer certificate identifies the animals being shipped according to their unique identification tags.

Verification

These procedures are subject to verification by the CFIA. The first assessment of a feedlot operation's feeding regime must be verified by the CFIA District Veterinarian. This verification step must ensure the following items are present at the facility:

A copy of the records along with a Report of Inspector (CFIA/ACIA 1520) summarizing the findings will be maintained in the CFIA District Office file for this producer.

Supervision and audit of ongoing compliance with the above items by the feedlot and by the CFIA Approved Veterinarian will be done by the CFIA in conjunction with audits performed as outlined in the existing and European Union approved GEP program. The feedlots and CFIA Approved Veterinarian will be audited by the CFIA at a frequency of a minimum of 1 time per year.

Grading procedures

Grading declaration

The carcass from which the beef cuts are derived must be evaluated according to the Livestock and Poultry Carcass Grading Regulations.

For the purpose of carcass evaluation (grading) of High Quality Beef eligible to access this quota, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), recognized as the competent authority for Canada, will ensure that all such carcasses are evaluated by a certified evaluator (grader) who is employed by an organization recognized by the national government. This will be demonstrated through the signature of the evaluator on the "Grader's Certificate" completed for each carcass and reflecting the determined grade. The "Grader's Certificate" is reviewed by the CFIA's Veterinarian in Charge at the slaughter establishment who will subsequently sign the Certificate of Authenticity certifying that the beef identified in that Certificate complies with the required specifications.

Labelling and certification procedures

Labelling

The cuts intended for export must meet the labelling requirements as described in the EU 1.5 section of the meat export library (Ecert). The indication "High Quality Beef" may be added to the information on the label.

Certification

A Certificate of Authenticity will be issued by the CFIA confirming that the products described on that certificate qualify as high quality beef as defined in Commission regulation (EC) No 593/2013.

Roles and responsibilities

Feedlot Owner

The feedlot owner is responsible for meeting the following requirements:

CFIA Approved Veterinarian

In order to deliver the GEP program on behalf of the CFIA, the veterinarian must be approved to deliver this program as per a signed agreement with CFIA to deliver this program. In addition to this agreement, an accredited veterinarian wishing to deliver this supplemental program to access this quota must undergo additional training with their CFIA District Veterinarian and enter into an additional agreement (Annex R-14.1) with the CFIA.

In addition to the roles and responsibilities laid out in the GEP program users' manual, the CFIA Approved Veterinarian is responsible for:

CFIA District Veterinarian

In addition to the roles and responsibilities laid out in the GEP program users' manual, the CFIA District Veterinarian is responsible for:

Carcass evaluator

Carcasses for export to the European Union under this quota must be evaluated by an evaluator employed by an organization recognized by the national government. This individual must ensure:

CFIA Veterinarian In Charge of the Registered Slaughter Establishment

In addition to the roles and responsibilities laid out in Annex R (the GEP program), the CFIA Veterinarian in Charge at the slaughter establishment is responsible for:

Annex R-14

Annex R-14.1 CFIA Approved Veterinarian Contract Requirements for Compliance with the European Union Tariff Rate Quota for High Quality Beef Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 481/2012)

Name of Veterinarian:
Legal name of business:
Business mailing address:
Telephone:
Email:

This document describes an agreement between the above named individual and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

This individual has satisfactorily completed the training for and is thereby accredited to perform the duties applicable to the inspection and certification of animals for the "Canadian Program for Certifying Freedom from Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs) for the Export of Beef to the EU". In addition, this individual has also satisfactorily completed the training for and is thereby accredited to perform the duties applicable to the inspection and certification of animals under the "Requirements for Compliance with the European Union Tariff Rate Quota for High Quality Beef".

This individual agrees to comply with all the conditions of this contract and to carry out his/her duties in accordance with the prescribed protocol.

This individual is aware of his/her responsibilities and obligations and possesses the knowledge to perform this activity.

This individual agrees to exercise the required controls over all official materials which may be issued to him/her.

This individual agrees to permit the Minister to release and publicize to the general public his/her name, business address, phone number and a list of his/her current authorized approved duties and functions.

This individual understands that failure to comply with the program requirements as outlined in Annex R-13 may result in removal of accreditation.

CFIA Approved Veterinarian

Name: space

Signature: space

Date: space

Witnessed by CFIA District Veterinarian

Name: space

Signature: space

Date: space

Annex R-14.2 Enrolment Form for Feedlots to Participate in the European Union Tariff Rate Quota for High Quality Beef Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 481/2012)

PDF (42 kb)

Name of producer applicant:
Legal name of business:
Mailing address:
Legal land location:
Telephone:
Email:

Producer's declaration:

I, the undersigned producer, hereby declare that I wish to produce animals whose meat will be eligible for export to the European Union under the provisions of the European Union's Tariff Rate Quota (EC No 593/2013).

I am aware, having read "Annex R-13, Requirements for Compliance with the European Union Tariff Rate Quota for High Quality Beef" and having consulted with my CFIA Approved Veterinarian, of the requirements placed on me as a feedlot wishing to export under this quota.

I understand that animals slaughtered under this quota must also comply with the existing requirements of the "Canadian Program for Certifying Freedom from Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs) for the Export of Beef to the EU" and that I am currently enrolled with CFIA to operate in that program.

I also understand that failure to comply with the requirements of the "Canadian Program for Certifying Freedom from Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs) for the Export of Beef to the EU" as well as those outlined under this program may result in my removal from both programs.

I also hereby allow CFIA and EU Officials to obtain necessary information from my CFIA Approved Veterinarian or to provide requested information to verify compliance with the requirements.

Printed name of producer applicant:

Position within the feedlot structural organization:
Signature:
Date:
Signed in town/city of:
in the province of:

Witnessed by Accredited Veterinarian:

Name:
Signature:
Date:

Annex R-14.3 Attestation for EU Feeding Requirements (Tariff Rate Quota) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 481/2012)

PDF (35 kb)

I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the animals in the shipment identified on Transfer Certificate Number: space meet the requirements of being fed for not less than 100 days prior to slaughter, a diet that:

This 100 day requirement is fulfilled on the date of: space

I also certify that this shipment of animals contains only steers (castrated males) and heifers (females which have not calved).

In certifying these facts, I confirm that I am approved by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to deliver this program, that I have satisfactorily completed training related to this specific quota, that I understand the requirements associated with this quota and that I am fully aware of my responsibilities and obligations in the performance of this activity.

I am also aware that failure to comply with the requirements of this program may result in removal of my approved status

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Printed name:

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Signature:

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Date:

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