Canada Proposes New Bovine Import Regs

December 22, 2006 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is proposing regulatory amendments to create a more responsive, adaptable and uniform import system for bovine animals and products from the United States.

Under proposed amendments to the Health of Animals Regulations, U.S. animals and their products would be imported under CFIA permits. Because permits can be readily adjusted, this system would allow the Agency to more effectively respond to new science and evolving international standards. Permits also provide an effective means to track imported animals-a critical component of foreign animal disease outbreak responses.

The new system would also provide Canada greater flexibility to more quickly implement revisions to import policies, such as previously announced changes to bluetongue--related import requirements for U.S. cattle. Similarly, the agency could introduce any changes deemed necessary to Canada's anaplasmosis and small ruminant import policies, both of which are currently under review.

The proposed amendments standardize Canada's import controls with respect to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in accordance with the Agency's BSE import policy. While the amendments focus on bovine animals and products, they also include several previously proposed provisions for other animals.

The proposed amendments are published at http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partI/2006/20061216/html/regle1-e.html. Interested parties are invited to submit comments until January 14, 2007.

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