Chapter 14 – Notice

Canadian horses who are exported to the United States (US) may return to Canada within 60 days of entry into the US using their Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) health certificate (HA1963 or HA1964) and supplementary declaration. However, accredited veterinarians and horse owners should be aware that returning these horses to Canada is an importation and as such CFIA's import conditions for Canadian Horses returning will apply- The detailed import conditions can be found at Automated Import Reference System (AIRS):

• Select Live Animals Arrow - right Live Horses, asses, mules or hinnies
• Continue following the drop down menu selections as applicable for the type of animal, the appropriate State and end use (Canadian horses returning to Canada).

It is important to note that specific import restrictions may be imposed on certain states based on the presence of certain regulated diseases. For example, Equine Piroplasmosis, Vesicular Stomatitis, etc. As a result, a CFIA import permit, additional certification and testing in the US, as well as CFIA inspection at the port of entry may be required. Given that changes can occur on short notice it is strongly recommended that Accredited Veterinarians contact their local CFIA veterinarian at the CFIA Animal Health Office for the most up to date information.

Failure to comply with CFIA's import requirements will result in horses being refused entry into Canada. Additional information can also be obtained from the CFIA Animal Health Office located at the Port of Entry into Canada.

When issuing health certificates, it is strongly recommended that Accredited Veterinarians discuss with horse owners the potential for specific CFIA import restrictions that may impact the return of their horses to Canada. Outbreaks of regulated diseases may occur in the US at any time and it is always advisable for horse owners to verify the requirements for returning to Canada in advance of their planned travel.

Notes:

1. Disease alerts and associated import restrictions that will affect the return of Canadian horses to Canada can change on short notice and Accredited Veterinarians should contact their local CFIA veterinarian for the most up to date information.

2. Import permits can be requested through the CFIA's online service portal, My CFIA. By signing up for a My CFIA account, importers can submit a new service request, track the status of their application and pay for the service online.

   If importers do not have access to My CFIA, a completed application can also be faxed or mailed to CFIA, Centre of Administration.

3. If Canadian horses stay in the US for 60 days or longer, they become US horses and as such CFIA's import conditions for US horses will apply. The detailed import conditions can be found at: Automated Import Reference System (AIRS):
   • Select Live Animals Arrow - right Live Horses, asses, mules or hinnies
   • Continue following the drop down menu selections as applicable for the type of animal, the appropriate State and end use (for the end-use select another end-use than "Canadian horses returning").
4. It is recommended that accredited veterinarians subscribe to CFIA's external email subscription list for any updates with respect to equine disease outbreaks in the US.

Please be advised that the Accredited Veterinarian's Manual (AVM) has been updated as a result of the Annual Review of the National Standards for the CWD Herd Certification Programs. The 2021 National Standards came into effect on December 31, 2021.

The National Standards in module 13.4 of the AVM have been modified to reflect the following changes or clarifications:

1. Section 1.4 has been renamed to Accredited Veterinarians, Approved Third Parties and Sample Collectors (previously named Program Delivery)
2. Section 1.4 Accredited Veterinarians, Approved Third Parties and Sample Collectors has been amended:
   • the responsibilities of accredited veterinarians have been updated and clarified
   • the responsibilities of approved third parties have been expanded to include assessing the accuracy of a site plan and assessing premises, facilities, equipment and fences for compliance with biosecurity requirements
3. Section 2.1 Enrolment Procedure has been amended:
   • owners/cervid farm operators must demonstrate that they are meeting biosecurity requirements at the time of enrolment
4. Section 3.2 Enrolment Eligibility has been amended:
   • owners/cervid farm operators must meet all federal and provincial/territorial requirements that are applicable to cervid farming
5. Section 3.8 Reporting of Cervid Illness has been deleted. The requirements of this provision have been moved to section 4.2 CWD Surveillance in Herd
6. Section 3.9 Identification has been renumbered to 3.8
7. Section 3.8 Identification has been amended:
   • the two identification devices must allow for unique individual identification of animals with either device
   • cervids less than 12 months of age no longer require two identification devices when a change in ownership occurs if they do not move off the premises
8. Sections 3.10 Records has been renumbered to 3.9
9. Section 3.11 has been renumbered to 3.10
10. Section 4.1 has been renamed to Inventories, Annual Inspection and Annual Report (previously Inventories, Inspections and Annual Reports)
11. Section 4.1 has been amended:
    • third-party inventories are required at least every 3 years
    • during the initial herd inventory, all identification numbers used for CWD HCP inventory purposes must be verified and recorded
    • during a third-party inventory, every live cervid in the herd 12 months of age and older must have its identity confirmed
    • during a third-party inventory, every live cervid in the herd 12 months of age and greater must be observed closely enough to check for any clinical signs of CWD
12. Section 4.2 has been amended:
    • heads must be submitted as soon as possible and sooner than the next annual assessment
    • reporting of cervid illness has been added to this section. Owners/cervid farm operators must report to their accredited veterinarians any illness in a cervid 12 months of age and older lasting longer than two weeks that is refractory to treatment, except a physical injury that has lasted longer than two weeks and is improving at the normal or expected rate
13. Section 4.4 Biosecurity has been amended:
    • owners/cervid farm operators work with their accredited veterinarian to implement a vehicle cleaning and disinfection protocol

Please be advised that the Accredited Veterinarian's Manual (AVM) has been updated as a result of the annual review of the National Standards for the CWD Herd Certification Programs. The 2019 National Standards came into effect on December 31, 2019.

The National Standards in module 13.4 of the AVM have been modified to reflect the following changes or clarifications:

The word "voluntary" has been removed from the program title so it is now called the CWD Herd Certification Program.

The terminology for the inventories has changed to "third-party inventory" and "producer inventory."

The following sections have substantive modifications:

• 2.1.3 Acquired status
  • Initial on-farm inventory must be completed within 4 months of first arrival of animals on the premises.
• 2.1.5 Previously infected premises
  • Enrolment no sooner than 1 year after cervids have been re-introduced to the premises.
  • CFIA has categorized the premises as minimally contaminated/low risk.
  • Premises evaluated as highly contaminated/high risk are not eligible for enrolment.
• 2.1.7 Enrolment of CWD-exposed herd
  • CWD-exposed herds and herds being investigated under a CWD disease control program can enrol no sooner than 3 years after the herd is identified as CWD-exposed unless CWD suspicion is cleared sooner.
• 2.3.9 Re-enrolment following revocation
  • Herds re-enrolling after revocation will be at status level E.
• 2.3.10 Voluntary withdrawal
  • Cervid owner / cervid farm operator must notify regional administrator when they voluntarily withdraw from the program.
• 3.8 Reporting of cervid illness
  • Physical injury that has lasted longer than 2 weeks but is improving at the normal or expected rate does not have to be reported to veterinarian.
• 4.2.1 Annual surveillance requirements
  • When using the sacrifice option to make up for a missed sample, the test result from a cervid of the same cohort that has been slaughtered in the previous 3 months can be used.
• 4.3.4 Germplasm
  • Embryos may only be sourced from herds of equivalent or higher status.
• 4.4.1 Site plan
  • Site plan must be included with the annual report whenever changes to the premises have occurred.
• 4.4.6 Disinfection of vehicles
  • The producer must work with the accredited veterinarian to develop a protocol for the cleaning and disinfection of vehicles that will mitigate the risk of CWD transmission.
• 4.4.7 Acquisition of previously owned equipment
  • Previously owned equipment acquired from cervid farms of lower or unknown status level must be disinfected.

Other revisions have been made throughout the National Standards to create a more logical organisation and to allow easier navigation of the document.

In addition to the updates to the National Standards, the remaining modules of chapter 13 have been revised to reflect the updated standards, module numbering has been updated and some information has been rearranged.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has updated the following modules of the Accredited Veterinarian's Manual:

Module 3.3 Laboratories

The postal code of the CFIA Ottawa laboratory (Fallowfield) has been changed. This postal code is required to ensure the timely delivery of samples sent to the laboratory.

Module 6.2: Export to Mexico- Horses

A new export certificate amended on October 15, 2019 is now available.

Animals must be individually identified with a microchip with the number included on the health certificate.

The animals need to have an additional proof of identification (for example: the FEI passport or the Identification addendum for horses exported from Canada to Mexico) that clearly and uniquely identifies the animals and includes verifiable visual characteristics. The microchip number must also be included on this identification document. A pdf fillable copy of the addendum is available at the CFIA district office, if needed.

Please be advised that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has updated the following module of the Accredited Veterinarian's Manual:

• Chapter 13 – Chronic Wasting Disease Voluntary Herd Certification Program

The contact information of the Regional Administrators and Status Assessors has been modified to update the contact information for Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan.

Furthermore, in modifications to module 13.1 of the Accredited Veterinarian's Manual, the geographic distribution of chronic wasting disease has been updated to include detection in Quebec, Finland and Sweden, and content has been reorganized and expanded for clarity.

Also, please note that the module 3.3 Laboratories will be modified to reflect that the University of Montreal Laboratory is no longer approved to perform tests for Enzootic Bovine Leucosis related to the Canada Health Accredited Herd (CHAH) program.

The USDA has reported to CFIA problems with the export certificate HA1938 Export of Swine to the United States.

As stated in chapter 5, section 5.9 of the Accredited Veterinarians Manual, one of the health certificate requirement is to cross out and initial one of the following option:

Canada is free of African swine fever (ASF), classical swine fever (CSF), foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), swine vesicular disease (SVD), and swine pseudorabies (aujeszky's disease, AD)

or

In the event of an outbreak of foreign animal disease, the swine covered by the health certificate did not originate from or transit through a current United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (USDA APHIS) recognized zone or region established due to the detection of ASF, CSF, FMD, SVD, or AD. The swine had no contact with any swine or swine products (including imported swine or products) that were located in a current USDA APHIS recognized zone or region established due to the detection of ASF, CSF, FMD, SVD, or AD.

Up to now, Canada meets the first option, so the second statement must be crossed out and initialed by the accredited veterinarian.

The USDA has advised that they may refuse entry to those shipments accompanied by a health certificate that does not meet the above specified requirements.

Special attention should be paid so that the requested cross-outs and initials are appropriately performed before signing and endorsing the export certificate.

Please be advised that the export certificates for horses to the U.S. have been amended on July 17 2019.

Both export certificates HA1964 and HA1963 have been modified. An optional section was added to register a microchip number if available.

Both certificate versions will be accepted during a transitional period ending August 17 2019. Starting August 18 2019, only the latest version amended July 17 2019 will be accepted at the border.

Please be advised that the following modules have been updated:

Module 5.1 Export to the U.S. – General

• The land port Beaudette in Minnesota has been deleted from the list.
• A link was added to the land ports of entry.

Module 5.9 Export to the U.S. – Swine

• The certificate wording has been modified. The word "delete" was replaced by "cross out". Both versions of the certificate remain valid.

Module 5.10 Export to the U.S. – Birds, poultry and hatching eggs

• A reference was added to the following certificates: HA2449 Wild grouse, HA2940 Ratites for immediate slaughter, HA2941 Ratite hatching eggs.
• Two new certificates are available: HA3059 Raptors to the U.S. by land, HA3060 Conservation bird hatching eggs.

Module 6.2 Export to Mexico- Horses

• The horses must be mandatorily identified by a microchip. The brand option is not valid anymore.
• The certificate HA2883 is valid for the return to Mexico, within 60 days of the horse being imported into Canada. The reference to Pan Am Games was removed.

Please be advised that the Accredited Veterinarian's Manual section 4.1 Export Veterinary Certification has been updated.

The following changes or clarifications have been included:

• No erasure is allowed except when required. If the certificate mentions to delete, strike out, remove or invalidate a non-applicable option, a line must be made on the non-applicable text without hiding its contents, and the paragraph must be initialed.
• When exporting animals without individual identification (if permitted by the importing country), the exporter must be advised that he/she may not export more animals than the number indicated on the certificate.
• The signing veterinarian must have carried out the inspection. This task cannot be delegated to a technician or other veterinarian, whether accredited or not, unless otherwise specified in the manual.
• A copy of the export certificate issued by the accredited veterinarian must be retained for a minimum of three years. The accredited veterinarian must be able to submit a copy to the district office upon request.
• If the accredited veterinarian is contacted by the importer or the competent authorities of the importing country regarding an issue related to the certification or testing of animals for export, the accredited veterinarian must immediately notify the local district office. The local district office will provide appropriate instructions to the accredited veterinarian regarding the possible resolution of the problem and the official channels that must be followed in these situations.
• Export certificates are available from the district office. It is possible to check online for the most recent date of amendment of the certificate and thus check that the version used is in fact valid.

All export certificates for swine to the US have been modified (breeding swine and feeders, farmed wild swine and zoo swine).

During a transitional period that will end on June 26, 2019, the use of the previous version of the certificates will still be allowed.  However, the use of the new certificates amended April 12, 2019 will become mandatory on or after June 27, 2019.

The certificates have been modified to provide conditions to pursue exportation in case of foreign animal disease. Some statements must be deleted and initialed.

The changes to the module 5.9 include the following:

• details about vaccination restrictions were added
• zoo swine must be inspected within 48 hours of exportation
• farmed wild swine must be inspected within 14 days of exportation
• in the event of an outbreak of a foreign animal disease, the swine (breeding and feeders) must be inspected within 7 days prior to export
• in the event of an outbreak of foreign animal disease, the swine can't originate and transit affected zones or be in contact with swine or swine products from the affected zones

A new certificate has been negotiated with the USDA to be able to certify and export swine for immediate slaughter to the USA in case of foreign animal disease outbreak. All the conditions have been included in the module 5.9.

Please be advised that the Accredited Veterinarian's Manual has been updated as a result of the annual review of the National Standards for the Scrapie Flock Certification Program (SFCP), as well as an extensive USDA review for equivalency. The changes will be implemented March 1st, 2019.

The National Standards of the SFCP in section 7.4 of chapter 7 of the Accredited Veterinarian's Manual have been modified to reflect the following changes or clarifications:

Pathway 2 (live animal testing) and pathway 3 (genotyping) have been removed. No producers are on these pathways.

The word Voluntary has been removed from the Program title so it is now called the Scrapie Flock Certification Program (SFCP).

Two tissues are to be submitted when doing post-mortem scrapie testing. A brain sample and a retropharyngeal lymph node sample must be submitted for each animal scrapie tested for the program.

The program now has 7 levels, instead of 6 (E, D, C, B, A, Certified), with a new higher level of Certified Plus. Once an enrolled producer has reached the Certified level, they may choose to stay at this level indefinitely or, once all additional requirements are met, they may apply for advancement to the Certified Plus level.

An infected flock/herd subject to scrapie response actions may only enroll in the SFCP at the entry level E and provided disease response actions are completed.

During a scrapie disease investigation if it is determined scrapie exposed animals resided in a SFCP flock/herd, then that flock/herd has its status immediately suspended. The exposed flock/herd's status is reinstated only once all requirements of the scrapie eradication program are complete and testing is negative. If genetically susceptible exposed breeding females resided in the flock/herd and cannot be found for scrapie testing, then the flock/herd may only re-enroll at the entry level of the SFCP.

If a sheep or goat over 12 months has an illness lasting longer than two weeks (except physical injury) or has any clinical signs associated with scrapie, then the owner may not dispose of the animal unless the accredited veterinarian determines the signs are not consistent with scrapie and the veterinarian must maintain a written record of each determination.

If any live animal testing or any genotyping testing is done in order to meet sampling requirements for advancement, then these must be maintained in records and submitted as part of the annual report.

Live animal testing is restricted to animals over 14 months of age and, if sheep, of genotype 171QQ.

Sampling requirements apply to all sheep or goats over 12 months of age owned by the producer that die or are humanely destroyed, other than those sent for routine slaughter.

The annual sampling minimum of at least one dead a year may be waived for genetically resistant flocks with documented proof that all sheep in the flock are of genotype 136AA 171QR or 171 RR. 100% of animals owned by the producer that die or are humanely destroyed must still be sampled but the requirement of one animal a year does not need to be met in these flocks.

Requirements to advance to Certified Plus level:

A minimum of 7 years on the program.

A minimum of 30 animals scrapie tested in the 7 years or, all genetically susceptible animals over 14 months, whichever is less.

If the minimum number of animals has not been obtained by testing deads while advancing through the program, then testing of slaughter or cull animals or live animal testing may be used to make up the balance.

Any genetically susceptible breeding females not acquired from Certified Plus flocks/herds in the preceding two years before advancement are required to be sampled by live-animal or post-mortem testing.

In addition to the above updates to the SFCP standards in section 7.4 of the Accredited Veterinarian's Manual, revisions have been also made to the remaining sections of chapter 7 to reflect the updated standards. The appendices (section 7.5) have been updated to include some minor clarifications and Appendix B Collection of Retropharyngeal Lymph Nodes has been added.