The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Centre of Administration (CoA) has advised of changes to documentation requirements for pet food importations.
Effective April 15, 2015, import permits will no longer be required for Processed Pet Food and Treats from the United States containing bovinae ingredients for commercial sale or re-sale in Canada. Import permits for this particular commodity that have expired or are due to expire before this date will be extended to April 15, 2015.
In addition, import permits for Processed “Non-Bovinae” Pet Food and treats for commercial sale or re-sale in Canada (those not containing bovine ingredients) will be extended to be valid until June 30,2015.
During the summer of 2015, the CFIA is planning to remove the requirement of an import permit for all processed (heat-treated and shelf stable) pet foods containing animal products and by-products. Instead, all processed pet food (heat-treated and shelf stable) must be accompanied by zoo sanitary certification endorsed by a veterinarian of the USDA-APHIS. Importers should contact their U.S. exporters regarding these changes.
Please note: Import permits will continue to be required for raw pet diets containing animal products and by-products that are not heat-treated/shelf stable and for processed pet foods and diets containing animal products and by-products, imported for use in laboratories, as lab samples or for use in research and diet trials (ie: not for commercial sale in Canada).
Questions can be directed to the CFIA Animal Import Export Division, Animal Products and By-Products Section.