The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) advises on updated information on the Importers: understanding feed controls to prevent African swine fever (ASF) page and import requirements.
The policy document Import requirements for plant-based feed ingredients imported for use in livestock feed has also been updated. This document has been modified to accommodate exporting countries where CFIA recognizes part of the country as free of African swine fever.
For this policy, import restrictions will be applied only to plant-based feed ingredients of concern, with those being any grains and oilseeds, and their associated meals imported under the end uses “livestock feed”, “for further processing”, “for cleaning” or any other end use where such product may be imported for direct use in livestock feed. No import controls are being implemented for products being imported for human consumption. The specific HS codes of chapter 10, chapter 11, chapter 12 and chapter 23 of the customs tariff impacted by this policy are listed in Appendix 2.
Import controls are only being applied to products whose origin is 1 of the countries of concern with respect to ASF, which are listed in Appendix 3. This list of countries includes those that are experiencing an outbreak or have experienced an outbreak of ASF within the last 5 years and have not subsequently been recognized as free of ASF by the CFIA.
An animal health import permit, issued by an inspector at the CFIA’s Centre of Administration, is required for the importation of the select plant-based feed ingredients from countries of concern imported for 1 of the end uses of concern noted above. Specific conditions of import will be listed in the import permit. The import permit must be issued before the shipment arrives in Canada.
The permit application process allows the CFIA to assess the risks associated with the imported material. The application provides the CFIA with the required information, including the end use of the product. The import conditions, listed on the Import Permit, impose obligations on the importer in relation to their imported product. Importers must read and are legally required to comply with all of the conditions listed on their Import Permit as well as the conditions in the order that requires the permit.
Each shipment must be accompanied by a copy of the permit at the time of importation, and it must be presented at the first point of entry into Canada. Permits can be issued for single entry or multiple entry (in which case the permits are valid for 1 year).
An application for a permit to import must be accompanied by information that is adequate to allow a determination that taking a plant-based feed ingredient of concern into the secondary control zone would not, or would not be likely to, result in the introduction into or spread within Canada of ASF.
This questionnaire must be completed for plant-based meals of concern when no further processing or mitigation measures will occur in Canada after importation.
- Questionnaire for plant-based meals of concern (with competent authority endorsement)
When a questionnaire is required, a completed questionnaire must be submitted with each additional application to import.
This questionnaire must be completed for plant-based meals of concern that will undergo further processing or mitigation measures in Canada after importation.
- Questionnaire for plant-based meals of concern (without competent authority endorsement)
Completed questionnaires must be submitted with each application to import.
A zoosanitary export certificate endorsed by an official of the competent authority of the country of origin is also a requirement for importation.
More information available.
African Swine fever
ASF- Fact sheet
Importers: understanding feed controls to prevent African swine fever.
Additional flexibility to import requirements for plant-based meals destined for use in livestock feed
If you have any questions, please use the established communication channels.
Centre of Administration for Permissions: