Animals, animal products and by-products

Under the Health of Animals Act and the Health of Animals Regulations, along with the associated Import Reference Documents for terrestrial animal health, the importation of live terrestrial and aquatic animals, animal and aquatic animal products, animal by-products, aquatic animal carcases, animal pathogens, and other things (such as used equipment) may be imported under certain conditions. Imports are permitted from countries that have negotiated export market access with Canada and comply with the negotiated animal health conditions.

Animal products and by-products used in the preparation of food, cosmetics, drugs (including pharmaceuticals for use in animals, pharmaceuticals and biologics for human use, and natural health products for use in animals or humans), and medical devices are also regulated by Health Canada through product-specific regulatory programs. For these products, the regulatory requirements for animal products and by-products are administered by the CFIA under the authority of the Food and Drugs Act and the Food and Drug Regulations. Veterinary biologics and their components are regulated by the CFIA under the Health of Animals Act and the Health of Animals Regulations. Importers must comply with the import requirements of all Canadian government departments or agencies for a particular commodity.

Authority for animal pathogens is shared between the CFIA and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). In 2013 an Order in Council (OIC SI/2013-41) transferred authority from the Minister of Agriculture to the Minister of Health for the responsibility of pure cultures of indigenous, terrestrial animal pathogens (HAR 51a). The CFIA maintains regulatory authority over non-indigenous terrestrial animal pathogens, aquatic animal pathogens and animal pathogens imported in an animal product or by-product (HAR 51a and 51b). For the pathogens under its authority, PHAC administers pathogen and toxins licences to certified containment laboratories for periods of one to five years depending of the risk groups of the pathogens. For pathogens under CFIA authority, answers are provided below.

In response to changes in health status, import requirements can change at any time.

For importation of aquatic animals (finfish, molluscs and crustaceans) and their products listed in the Health of Animals Regulations as susceptible to the diseases of concern, a permit and a zoosanitary certificate is required. For importation of aquatic animals (finfish, molluscs and crustaceans) and their products from shared waters within the U.S. which have been established as having the same health status for specific diseases of concern and are intended for specific end uses such as those for human consumption (Food Service, Retail Use and Further Processing), only an import permit may be required. Import permits are not required for aquatic animals not considered susceptible to diseases of concern and for products that are considered safe in accordance with international standards of the OIE or as a result of a risk assessment.

For the most up to date information and additional details on CFIA import requirements, please refer to the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/imp/airse.shtml

The following products are covered: Terrestrial live animals and germplasm, Susceptible species of live aquatic animals (finfish, molluscs and crustaceans) and their germplasm and products, Terrestrial animal products and by-products, Animal pathogens and Veterinary biologics.

For countries other than the U.S., a permit is required for:
• all terrestrial animals (except pet dogs and domesticated cats, certain rodents, reptiles excluding turtles and their eggs, amphibians and marine mammals),
• susceptible species of live aquatic animals, germplasm and their products
• semen (except canine),
• embryos,
• veterinary biologics,
• animal pathogens (CFIA permit or PHAC pathogen and toxin license), and
• certain animal products and by-products depending on the species and country of origin.

For importation from the U.S., a permit is required for the following:
• semen (except for equine and canine),
• embryos,
• veterinary biologics,
• psittacine birds (other than pet birds),
• turtles, tortoises,
• skunks, foxes and raccoons,
• some ruminants and swine,
• elephants,
• honeybees,
• dogs under eight months of age (commercial shipments and for research)
• certain rodents,
• certain animal products and by-products dependent on species,
• susceptible species of live aquatic animals, germplasm and their products, and
• animal pathogens (CFIA permit or PHAC pathogen and toxin license).

The permit system is intended to ensure that all items identified in No.1 are imported in conformity with Canada's sanitary health regulations to protect against the introduction of diseases into or spread within Canada. Decisions are made following a risk analysis and risk assessment process.

The value of imports is not restricted by import permits. For single entry permits a finite quantity may be stipulated in the permit and this quantity may not be exceeded. For multi entry permits this is no restriction on the quantity that may be imported.

There are no quotas under the Health of Animals Act. If all aspects of an application package are compliant and it is for a commodity that may be imported into Canada, the import permit is issued.

For terrestrial animals (both live animals and products/by-products): Imports are permitted only from countries which are recognized by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as free of serious animal diseases which may affect the species of animal imported. However, certain animal products may be imported from countries that are not free of these diseases under an import permit if they have been treated or processed to eliminate the disease. Imports may also be restricted on behalf of other government agencies when there is concern about a disease which may be transmitted to people.

For aquatic animals: Imports are permitted only from countries with which a zoosanitary certificate has been negotiated based on an evaluation of their aquatic animal health regulatory system. Imports of aquatic animals and their products may be permitted without a zoosanitary certificate only from shared waters with the US that have been established as having the same health status for diseases of concern and are intended for certain end uses.

For animal pathogens: Imports may be permitted into containment laboratories certified and approved by the Government of Canada to appropriately handle the risks associated with the pathogen and/or the animal product or by-product associated with the animal pathogen. Animal pathogens in an animal product or by-product are subject to the same restrictions as indicated above - imports may be restricted from countries not recognized by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as free of serious animal diseases. Under certain circumstances imports may be permitted if treated or processed to eliminate the disease.

If there is interest in importing a new commodity for which established import conditions do not exist, or from a country which has not been previously assessed by Canada, an Animal Health Risk Assessment (AHRA) may be conducted which is a science-based risk evaluation. If supported by the outcome of the AHRA, the commodity may be imported.