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This module describes the authority for activities and duties performed by accredited
veterinarians. |
Introduction
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1. |
An accredited veterinarian is a veterinarian who is authorized
under the Health of Animals Act to perform certain duties and functions in
support of the National Animal Health Program. |
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2. |
Canada's earliest accredited veterinarians date to December 18,
1896, when the Minister of Agriculture for Canada and the Secretary of the U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA) agreed that the services of veterinarians in private practice could
be used in the examination, testing, and certification of livestock being exported to
either country. |
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3. |
The duties and functions of an accredited veterinarian, as well
as the terms and conditions of accreditation, are described in the Accredited
Veterinarian Agreement (CFIA/ACIA 1625). The Accredited Veterinarian's Manual
provides instructions and specifications for the conduct of those duties and functions.
Knowledge of and adherence to the agreement and the instructions in this manual will
permit the delivery of the National Accredited Veterinarian Program in a consistent and
uniform manner that addresses the combined needs and expectations of the Canadian
livestock industry, the public, and Canada's international trading partners. |
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4. |
The Embryo Export Program is a specific process that lies
outside the Accredited Veterinarian Agreement and the scope of this manual. |
Mandate
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Health of Animals Act and Regulations |
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5. |
Accredited veterinarians perform their functions under the
authority of the Health
of Animals Act, which provides the enabling legislation for the Health of Animals
Regulations. |
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6. |
The purposes of the Health of Animals Act and Regulations
are to prevent the introduction of animal diseases into Canada; to control and eliminate
diseases in animals that either affect human health or could significantly affect the
Canadian economy; and, to provide for the humane treatment of animals during transport. |
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7. |
The sections of the Act and Regulations which provide the
authority for accredited veterinarians are:
- Section 34 of the Health of Animals Act, which provides
authority for the Minister to enter into an agreement with any qualified person to perform
such duties or functions as the Minister may specify, on such terms and conditions as the
Minister may specify;
- Section 69 of the Health of Animals Regulations, which
requires that no person shall export out of Canada livestock, poultry, animal embryos, or
animal semen unless the importation requirements of the country to which it is being
exported have been met and the person has obtained a certificate of a veterinary
inspector, or a certificate of an accredited veterinarian endorsed by a veterinary
inspector, issued before shipment that clearly identifies the livestock, poultry, animal
embryos or animal semen and the animal source. The certificate must show that a veterinary
inspector or an accredited veterinarian has inspected the livestock, poultry, animal
embryos or animal semen and found them to be free from any communicable disease. The
certificate must also show the date and place of inspection and, if tests have been
performed, the nature of each test and that the livestock, poultry, animal embryos, animal
semen or the donors of animal embryos or animal semen proved negative to such tests. The
export certificate must bear the mark of the official export stamp;
- Section 73.1 of the Health of Animals Regulations, which
provides for an accredited veterinarian to test animals for disease in an eradication
area;
- Section 99.2 of the Health of Animals Regulations, which
provides for an accredited veterinarian to mark or otherwise identify any animal
inspected.
- Section 102 of the Health of Animals Regulations, which
provides for an inspector to affix seals or other devices to a conveyance, container or
other thing, for the purposes of the Act and these Regulations.
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8. |
Irrespective of provisions of the agreement, any veterinary
practitioner has a legal obligation under the following:
- Section 5 of the Health of Animals Act to provide notification
of the presence of a reportable disease to a veterinary inspector;
- Sections 138, 140, 142-144 of the Health of Animals Regulations
with respect to the transportation of animals;
- Sections 183, 187, 188 of the Health of Animals Regulations
with respect to the reporting of approved tags to the administrator of the national
identification program for animals.
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The Accredited Veterinarian Agreement
(CFIA/ACIA 1625) is a legal instrument authorizing licenced private veterinarians to
perform duties such as completion of international health certification under the
authority of Health of Animals Regulations. Veterinarians wishing to perform
duties under the CFIA's National Accredited Veterinarian Program must enter into an
agreement with the CFIA. There is an additional legal authority separately required. This
module describes the process of obtaining accreditation, the scope of an agreement,
renewal and termination of an agreement, and the separate legal authority. |
How to Obtain Accreditation
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Eligibility |
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1. |
Veterinarians must be licensed to practice veterinary medicine
in the place where they will perform duties and functions as an accredited veterinarian,
and in the case of the Yukon be authorized in accordance with Government of the Yukon
policy and practices. |
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2. |
Veterinarians must either attend a "Pre-accreditation
Orientation and Training Session" for accredited veterinarians or have successfully
completed an approved "Regulatory Medicine Undergraduate Certification Program"
at a Canadian veterinary college. |
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3. |
Veterinarians must possess the knowledge and skills required to
fully perform all duties and functions of an accredited veterinarian in accordance with
the terms and conditions specified in the agreement. |
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4. |
The veterinarian's conduct and performance must not compromise,
or otherwise impair, the ability to perform duties and functions as an accredited
veterinarian. Any improper or illegal activity, action, or inaction on the part of the
individual that is deemed to compromise one's ability to perform duties and functions as
an accredited veterinarian, or that conflicts with the intent or objectives of the
National Animal Health Program, will render the individual ineligible to be authorized to
perform duties and functions as an accredited veterinarian. |
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Application and Authorization |
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5. |
Veterinarians seeking to become accredited should contact the CFIA
district veterinarian responsible for the geographic area in which the veterinary practice
is located. |
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6. |
The district veterinarian will review the terms and conditions
of accreditation with the individual, outline the role and responsibilities of
accreditation, and complete an Accredited Veterinarian Agreement (CFIA/ACIA 1625)
with the veterinarian. The agreement is not valid until authorized. |
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7. |
The completed CFIA/ACIA 1625 is reviewed and
individuals are authorized to perform duties and functions identified on the completed
form only after it is signed by the Area Animal Health Program Manager. |
The Agreement
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Modifications to Scope pf Agreement |
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8. |
The activities that an accredited veterinarian is authorized to
perform are limited to the specified province or territory and to the duties identified on
the agreement. Veterinarians seeking expanded authorization to perform duties in
additional provinces in which they are licenced, or veterinarians wishing to perform
additional duties at the current location, will require authorization of a new agreement.
The first step is contact with the district veterinarian and completion of the CFIA/ACIA
1625. In the case of new duties, the district veterinarian will provide training on
performance of the new duty before forwarding the application for authorization. |
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Renewal of the Agreement |
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9. |
The expiry date for an Accredited Veterinarian Agreement
is displayed in the "Authorization" section of the agreement. It is the
responsibility of the veterinary practitioner to reapply in advance of the expiry of an
agreement by contacting and meeting with the district veterinarian. The district
veterinarian will evaluate the work performance of the accredited veterinarian and
complete the form CFIA/ACIA 1625 with the accredited veterinarian seeking
re-accreditation. Veterinarians whose agreements have lapsed must receive confirmation of
authorization of a replacement agreement to continue performing accredited duties beyond
the expiry date of existing agreement. Veterinarians, who have allowed their agreements to
lapse, will have their names removed from the list of authorized accredited veterinarians.
Nevertheless these veterinarians may reapply for accreditation within one year without
being required to attend the training and orientation course. |
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Termination of the Agreement |
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10. |
An accredited veterinarian may terminate the agreement before
expiry by forwarding a notice in writing to the responsible district veterinarian. The CFIA
may terminate an agreement when the individual ceases to be a licenced veterinary
practitioner or when there is evidence of failure by an individual to meet the terms and
conditions of the Accredited Veterinarian Agreement. |
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11. |
If there is evidence that an accredited veterinarian failed to
meet the terms and conditions of the agreement or predecessor agreements, the CFIA may
without notice suspend the authorization of that individual as an accredited veterinarian.
When authorization is suspended, a notice of suspension will be issued in writing to the
veterinarian stating: a. the grounds for suspension;
b. that it is proposed that the veterinarian's accreditation and agreement (CFIA/ACIA
1625) be cancelled;
c. that the veterinarian will have an opportunity to be heard in respect of the proposed
cancellation;
d. the proposed date of the hearing or other such date, within a limited period of time,
that the veterinarian advises is suitable;
e. that the veterinarian may attend the hearing in person, with or without counsel or
other representation; and,
f. the notice shall be communicated by personal delivery to the veterinarian. |
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12. |
An accredited veterinarian's authority to perform duties and
functions as an accredited veterinarian and the accreditation agreement will not be
cancelled unless: a. the accredited veterinarian was advised of the
opportunity to be heard in respect of the cancellation and was given that opportunity;
and,
b. a notice of cancellation of accreditation and the accredited veterinarian's agreement
was delivered to the veterinarian. |
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13. |
The Minister's decision with respect to the suspension or
cancellation of accreditation is final. |
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14. |
When an accredited veterinarians's authority to perform duties
and functions as an accredited veterinarian have been cancelled, the CFIA may disclose and
release information in respect of the cancellation to the responsible veterinary licensing
body. The information shall include and not be limited to the reason for the cancellation. |
Additional Legal Authority
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15. |
Accredited veterinarians and technicians employed by accredited
veterinarians require specific authorization and designation as inspectors under the CFIA
Act to apply seals to conveyances in respect to the export of cattle, bison, sheep and/or
goats to the U.S. Apply for designation at a CFIA district office. |
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This module describes quality control measures for
inspection and certification by accredited veterinarians. Purpose |
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1. |
The primary focus of the National Accredited Veterinarian
Program is to maintain and enhance confidence in domestic and international markets for
Canadian animals and animal products through its reliance on an inspection and
certification process that consistently meets specific requirements or standards. |
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2. |
The quality control measures employed by the CFIA in this
program aim to provide assurance that individuals conducting inspection and other
authorized activities are qualified by means of professional licensing and training, have
access to and have thorough understanding of the requirements, and that the individuals
establish controls over inspection processes so that the requirements can be uniformly
met. |
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Training |
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3. |
In addition to professional licensing requirements, eligibility
requirements for accreditation demand that a veterinarian possess the knowledge and skills
required to perform the authorized duties and functions. The accredited veterinarian is
therefore responsible for the ongoing maintenance of current knowledge. While maintaining
current knowledge is the responsibility of the veterinarian, the CFIA may offer specific
technical and non-technical training to accredited veterinarians from time to time. |
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Inspection or Certification
Requirements A clear understanding of requirements is necessary before
commencing any tests or inspections. |
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4. |
Requirements are articulated specifically in export and other
certificates, with additional instructions and guidelines found in this manual. The
current electronic version of this manual and certificates,
as well as a print version, is available. A module list is located at the beginning of the
manual and can be referred to for the status of the modules. |
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5. |
In addition, the CFIA provides a subscription service to those
individuals who wish to be notified by e-mail of updates to this manual. Instructions are
included on the above Web site. |
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6. |
A significant resource to the accredited veterinarian in
addressing requirement needs is the district veterinarian who can provide current
documents, information and advice, and where necessary, references to external guidelines
or standards such as the World
Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code. |
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7. |
As part of the quality control system, the accredited
veterinary practitioner is required to keep current and up-to-date copies of the
procedures and instructions contained in this manual that are relevant to functions for
which that individual has been accredited. Old documents and certificates are to be
discarded to prevent the unintended application of outdated requirements. |
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Process Controls and Protocols |
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8. |
Test, inspection and export certification documents completed
by an accredited veterinarian are routinely reviewed by a district veterinarian during the
process of providing the required CFIA endorsement. From this ongoing monitoring of
paperwork, an accredited veterinarian can expect to receive communications from the
responsible district veterinarian if there are deviations in work performance that
compromise the certificate or program. |
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Nonconformance |
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9. |
An accredited veterinarian should not certify animals, animal
products and other things that do not or cannot conform to the requirements for which they
are being inspected. The source of nonconformance may arise from the nature of the
requirements, or from the ability of a producer or processor to present animals or
products that are suitable for inspection and certification. In the latter situation,
application of suitable process controls may be of assistance in mitigating
nonconformance. |
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10. |
In maintaining and enhancing confidence in the ability of the
Accredited Veterinarian Program to meet the inspection and certification requirements for
Canadian animals and animal products, the CFIA requires accredited veterinarians to
conform to the terms and conditions of the Accredited Veterinarian Agreement
(CFIA/ACIA 1625) and, if there is nonconformance, to undertake actions to bring
activities into conformance. Depending on the nature and degree of nonconformance, the
action initiated may include simple instructions from the district veterinarian, a more
formal verbal or written warning, or in rare instances suspension and cancellation of the CFIA/ACIA
1625 as outlined in 1.2 Accreditation Agreement. |
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Supervision and Audit |
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11. |
Test, inspection and export certification documents completed
by an accredited veterinarian are routinely reviewed by a district veterinarian during the
process of providing the required CFIA endorsement. From this ongoing monitoring of
paperwork, an accredited veterinarian can expect to receive communications from the
responsible district veterinarian if there are deviations in work performance that
compromise the certificate or program. |
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12. |
Each CFIA district veterinarian is required to formally visit
each accredited veterinarian at regular intervals to verify that the work performed is in
compliance with the authorized CFIA/ACIA 1625 and with the instructions set out
in this manual. As part of the verification process, the district veterinarian may require
that on farm activities are witnessed. |
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The CFIA's National Accredited Veterinarian Program
allows accredited veterinarians to perform certain testing and regulatory functions. This
module details the use of technicians and areas of professional obligation. |
Special Provisions
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Use of Technicians |
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1. |
For the purpose of the Accredited Veterinarian Program, the CFIA
allows the delegation of duties1 of an accredited veterinarian to a technician.
A technician is defined under these circumstances as an individual who is employed by the
accredited veterinarian and has been thoroughly trained by the accredited veterinarian to
assist with the testing and inspection of animals. |
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2. |
An accredited veterinarian may be assisted by a technician when
inspecting and testing animals in the course of performing duties and functions as an
accredited veterinarian. Except for technicians designated as inspectors under the Health
of Animals Act as described below, any activity performed by a technician in
assisting an accredited veterinarian must be done under the direct supervision
of the accredited veterinarian. Direct supervision means the
veterinarian is close by so that the veterinarian is available to attend to the animal as
competent veterinary practice requires. |
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3. |
Any report or test submission form prepared by a technician
must be signed by the accredited veterinarian who performed the inspection of the
livestock, poultry, animal embryos, or animal semen identified on the certificate. |
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4. |
The accredited veterinarian is responsible for his/her
employee(s) and assumes all financial obligations and liability in relation to activities
performed by employees when assisting in the performance of duties and functions as an
accredited veterinarian. |
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Designated Technicians |
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5. |
Technicians who are employees of accredited veterinarians may
apply to be designated as inspectors under the health of Animals Act specifically
for the purpose of affixing CFIA approved seals to conveyances carrying cattle, bison,
sheep and/or goats to the U.S. under section 102 of the Health of Animals Regulations. |
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6. |
Accredited veterinarians must provide the CFIA district office
with the names of technicians working under their supervision that require designation as
inspectors, so that the appropriate designations may be completed. Accredited
veterinarians also have the responsibility to update (add/delete) this information with
the supervising district office. |
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Inter-provincial Practices |
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7. |
Accreditation is on a province-by-province basis. Accredited
veterinarians must inform their CFIA district veterinarian if they would like to perform
accredited veterinarian functions in another province. A pre-requisite is that the
accredited veterinarian must be licenced to practice veterinary medicine in that province
or territory before accreditation will be authorized. Export documents relevant to a
particular location are to be stamped for export and endorsed by the district veterinarian
or veterinary officer responsible for the local district, unless prior suitable
arrangements have been made. The district in which the practice is headquartered is
responsible for audits. |
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Relocation |
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8. |
If an accredited veterinarian moves: a. to
another location within the same district, the accredited veterinarian need only advise
the district veterinarian of a change of address;
b. to another district in the same area or province, the accredited veterinarian is
required to contact the district veterinarian responsible for that district to assure the
transfer of files and responsibility;
c. to another province, the accredited veterinarian is required to report to the district
veterinarian responsible for the district. A new authorized agreement (CFIA/ACIA 1625)
will be required;
d. to another country, the accredited veterinarian is required to report the intended move
to the district veterinarian. The accreditation agreement will be suspended. If the
accredited veterinarian returns before the agreement has expired, the accredited
veterinarian can have the accreditation reinstated if the district veterinarian is
satisfied that duties can be performed. |
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Certificate Endorsing |
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9. |
Export documents should be endorsed by the district
veterinarian responsible for the district in which the animals originate except when prior
suitable arrangements have been agreed upon. |
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Conflict of Interest |
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10. |
It is considered a conflict of interest for accredited
veterinarians to test and certify for export their own animals, or any animal in which
they have a financial interest. |