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About the CFIA > Reporting to Parliament > Annual Report > Annual Report 2002 - 2003  

3.3 ANIMAL HEALTH

The CFIA's Contribution to Canadians

The protection of Canada's animal resource base is integral to maintaining food safety, public health, and national and international confidence in Canadian agriculture and agri-food products. The animal resource base must be protected from serious diseases and chemical and microbial contamination. Canada's freedom from certain serious diseases facilitates the successful international marketing of Canadian animals, animal products and by-products, and livestock feeds.

The animal livestock sector contributes approximately $13.4 billion to the Canadian economy annually. Meat and meat products represent the largest portion of Canada's food-manufacturing industry. This sector depends on an inventory of healthy farm animals that includes some 13.7 million cattle, 14.4 million swine and almost one million sheep. More than one million tonnes of chickens and turkeys are processed in Canada each year.¹

Key Partners

The CFIA works with others to protect the animal resource base. Our key partners include:

Other federal departments and agencies: The CFIA works in close collaboration with other federal government partners to share expert advice, develop regulatory policies and set standards, and foster cooperation in research.

Provincial governments: At the provincial level, the CFIA works with the ministries of agriculture, fisheries and the environment. Activities undertaken with these partners mirror those undertaken with federal departments and agencies.

Non-government stakeholders: The CFIA works in partnership with national agri-food producers and others in the review, development and implementation of animal health policies and programs. A key mechanism for this work is the Canadian Animal Health Consultative Committee (CAHCC). The Agency also works with commodity associations and a number of other associations, including those representing animal welfare and environmental interests.

Research institutions: The CFIA collaborates with Canada's academic veterinary institutions to identify strategic directions in scientific research and to develop a national curriculum that reflects current and future needs in science and veterinary regulatory medicine.

International organizations and trading partners: The CFIA works with a number of international organizations and committees in an effort to influence the development of international science-based animal health regulation, collaborate on the development of regulatory policy objectives and strategies, and discuss common concerns. Key committees and organizations include the Animal Health Quadrilateral Group (Canada, United States, New Zealand and Australia), the North American Animal Health Committee (Canada, United States, Mexico), the Office International des Épizooties and its special committees, and the WTO and NAFTA committees on the application of sanitary and phytosanitary measures. The CFIA also works on a bilateral basis with other national governments on issues related to animal health standards and requirements.

Description of the Programs

During 2002-03, programs and activities under the Animal Health Program were delivered at a cost of approximately $133.7 million representing 23.6 percent of the CFIA's spending. A total of 674 full-time employees were dedicated to this program area. Two programs are delivered under the Animal Health business line: animal health and livestock feed.

The Agency delivers the Animal Health Program under the authority of the Health of Animals Act. The CFIA monitors, tests, inspects and quarantines so that regulated animal diseases are prevented, controlled or eradicated. The program regulates production inputs such as animal vaccines. It also provides for the humane transportation of animals.

The Feed Program was delivered at a cost of approximately $10.2 million representing 1.8 percent of the CFIA's spending and a total of 74 full-time employees. The Agency delivers the Feed Program under the authority of the Feeds Act. The program protects livestock from chemical contamination and microbial hazards through the regulation of livestock feed ingredients.

Both programs focused on strategic activities listed in the 2002-03 RPP:

• Control the entry and domestic spread of regulated animal diseases.

• Control animal diseases that are transmissible to humans.

• Meet other governments' science-based animal health requirements, and contribute to the development of jointly agreed-upon operational methods and procedures.

• Enhance compliance of livestock feeds with federal acts, regulations, and standards.

Enforcement:

Under the authority of the Health of Animals Act and the Feeds Act, 287 cases of non-compliance were investigated last year resulting in 27 prosecutions and 20 convictions. The total value of the fines assessed by the courts was $57 150. Convictions pertained to violations such as inhumane transportation of animals, failure to present high-risk products for inspection and sale of feed with undeclared ingredients.

Canada is part of the worldwide effort to control livestock diseases and belongs to the 164-member Office International des Épizooties (OIE), the organization for animal health standards that forms the basis for trade policy. The CFIA's Reportable Diseases Regulations include all OIE List A diseases, which have high potential to cause serious public health problems, and OIE List B diseases of concern to Canada.² Regulations require that any occurrences of listed diseases be reported. Canada's reportable diseases list is on the CFIA Web site at:

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/reg/rege.shtml

The CFIA amended regulations in 2002-03 to establish two more lists of diseases that require laboratories to notify the CFIA of suspicious or positive results. These regulations enable the CFIA to gather information for public health purposes, such as surveillance information regarding West Nile virus, and to meet international obligations for animal disease surveillance.

3.3.1 Control the entry and domestic spread of regulated animal diseases

To accomplish this key result, the entry of all imported animals, imported animal products and by-products, and veterinary biologics at Canada's 121 international border points (9 international airports and 112 Canada-U.S. crossings) is controlled by the CFIA through verification processes, including inspection, to enforce import conditions. The CFIA also undertakes activities to increase public and industry awareness of animal health issues.

Education/Awareness

Public interest in animal illnesses grew in 2002-03 with media coverage of the spread of West Nile virus and Canada's single finding of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). The CFIA continued to respond to thousands of public, industry and media inquiries, and to publish fact sheets and information brochures regarding animal health control measures. The CFIA strives to achieve higher compliance levels by providing information to target groups. For example, in 2002-03, the CFIA published and distributed a brochure to livestock producers aimed at achieving higher compliance with the CFIA's feed ban. This ban prohibits the feeding of certain materials to ruminants to prevent the spread of diseases such as BSE. The CFIA also published fact sheets and provided information updates regarding the CFIA's control measures for animal diseases such as chronic wasting disease in deer and elk and bovine tuberculosis in wild animals.

The CFIA's measures to protect Canada's animal health status also include measures to control the importation or entry of pets into Canada. In response to thousands of inquiries each year concerning pet imports, importation guidelines were developed. The CFIA published in 2002-03 basic guidelines for frequently imported pets. The above-noted documents are all available on the CFIA's Web site at:

http://www.inspection.gc.ca

Import Controls

Importing animals and animal products may increase the risk of diseases entering Canada. CFIA border inspections target high-risk animals in which there may be visible signs of disease. Conditions for entry of higher-risk shipments include permits, pre-entry and post-entry testing, quarantines and export certification. Animals that are not in compliance with import requirements or that pose a threat to Canada's animal health status are refused entry or may be ordered destroyed. Most live animals from countries other than the United States require 30-day quarantines, enforced by CFIA staff.

In 2002-03, the CFIA, assisted by the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, effectively controlled the entry of more than 24 million farm animals (cattle, horses, bison, goats, swine, sheep and poultry) and 283 762 doses of livestock semen and embryos. Of farm animals imported in 2002, 269 552 were quarantined.

In 2002-03, compliance with import conditions was very good, with only 10 476 animals and 3166 doses of semen being rejected. Rejection of animals was significantly higher than the 2001-02 figure of 764; however, this is attributed to a single rejected load of imported poultry that consisted of approximately 10 000 animals. The rejection rate for imported semen was consistent with previous years.

As an additional measure to control the entry and domestic spread of regulated animal diseases, the CFIA negotiates with exporting countries to design science-based import conditions. To support these negotiations, the CFIA conducts risk evaluations of both the commodity and the disease status of the exporting country. In 2002-03, import risk analyses were conducted for deboned beef, cheeses, milk proteins and enzymes, in vitro fertilized embryos, honeybees, zoo animals and horses. Evaluations of the disease status of countries included foot-and-mouth disease in Uruguay, bovine tuberculosis in Australia and Hawaii, and Newcastle disease in Denmark and the United States.

The CFIA revises import conditions when a country's disease status changes or when advances in science affect policies. For example, in 2002-03, Canada reinstated trade with the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands after trade restrictions were imposed in 2001 due to foot-and-mouth disease. Canada also suspended trade in poultry and poultry products with several U.S. states following a U.S. outbreak of Newcastle disease.

Disease Control Programs

Disease control programs are designed to prevent or mitigate effects of widespread disease outbreaks. Disease eradication is the principle goal. To encourage early reporting by providing a financial incentive to producers, the CFIA also administers a compensation program under the authority of the Health of Animals Act. In response to specific animal disease outbreaks, the following initiatives were undertaken in 2002-03.

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE): Surveillance for BSE and other transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs): Surveillance for BSE), such as chronic wasting disease in cervids (the deer family) or scrapie in sheep, is a CFIA priority. The BSE surveillance program, implemented in 1992, targets specific animal populations such as downer animals at slaughter and dead stock. In 2002, 3377 animals were tested for BSE, more than double the 1581 animals tested in 2001 and more than double the standard set by the OIE. Provincial laboratories were responsible for much of the testing conducted in response to the CFIA's request to expand the surveillance program.

A single case of BSE was discovered in a cow in Alberta in May 2003. Although this incident occurred after the 2002-03 timeframe, its significance merited inclusion in this report. The single animal was condemned at slaughter and was never permitted for human consumption. In conducting its follow-up investigation, the CFIA destroyed over 2700 animals for testing. No additional cases appeared in the test results.

In June 2003, an international team of experts praised the thoroughness and quality of the CFIA's BSE investigation and identified additional measures that could be undertaken to further protect the public. In July 2003, the Food and Drug Regulations and the Health of Animals Regulations were amended to prevent specified risk materials (SRM)³ from entering the human food supply. The regulations came into force one month later, except in federally registered establishments where they became effective immediately through a CFIA directive. Further policy enhancements, including those concerning traceability in animals and animal products, are underway. Consultations with the provinces, territories, industry and Canada's trading partners continue regarding BSE surveillance and the review of controls to strengthen the animal feed ban regulations. In September 2003, a BSE Working Group was established to consolidate and coordinate all ongoing CFIA activities related to BSE. The CFIA plans to report more fully in its 2003-2004 Annual Report on the Agency's performance in this area.

Chronic wasting disease (CWD): CWD is a progressive, fatal disease of the nervous system of deer and elk for which there is no known treatment or vaccine. The CFIA's national disease eradication program for CWD involves the cooperation of federal and provincial governments, the cervid industry, veterinary colleges and veterinarians. From an initial outbreak in 2000 until March 31, 2003, the CFIA destroyed 42 CWD-infected herds, including 40 elk herds in Saskatchewan and one elk herd and one deer herd in Alberta. Of approximately 8500 cervids destroyed from infected herds, 232 animals tested positive for CWD and 24 showed signs of the disease. Of the 651 farmed cervids destroyed in 2002-03 for CWD (348 white tail deer and 113 elk in Alberta, and 190 elk in Saskatchewan), the total number of positive confirmed was five.

The CFIA considers its CWD control program in Saskatchewan to be effective since no additional CWD cases in farmed cervids have been reported since March 2002.

Scrapie: Scrapie is another disease in the TSE family, which affects sheep and goats. The CFIA's scrapie control program requires that animals exposed to this disease are kept out of the food chain. In 2002, the scrapie program underwent a number of changes related to the goal of eradicating this disease. Examples of these changes include a voluntary flock certification program and modifications to the current disease control program to provide for disease-resistant animals.

In 2001, scrapie was diagnosed in 12 sheep flocks. The scrapie control program is achieving its intended results since only four new infected sheep flocks were identified in 2002. Follow-up investigations resulted in orders for 3331 sheep from 15 premises to be destroyed.

In 2002-03, the CFIA assisted the industry in the development of a mandatory sheep identification program that will be implemented by the CFIA in 2004. This program is similar to the Canadian Cattle Identification Program introduced in 2002. Mandatory identification adds efficiency to the CFIA's ability to trace animals associated with disease incidents or food safety recalls.

Veterinary Biologics

The CFIA is responsible for licensing veterinary biologics⁴ in Canada. This licensing program forms an integral part of Canada's national animal health program by preventing the introduction and spread of certain animal diseases. To meet the requirements for licensure, veterinary biologics must be shown to be pure, potent, safe and effective when used in the target species according to the manufacturer's label recommendations. In addition, the licensing submission must also contain supporting data demonstrating that the product can be manufactured and used without adversely affecting animal health, human health, food safety or the environment.

Under the veterinary biologics program, the CFIA licensed 60 new products in 2002, compared to 73 licensed in the previous year. There are more than 743 licensed products in Canada. One product licensed this year was an equine vaccine for West Nile virus. The average time required to review a new licence submission, estimated at 159 days in 2001, is now 143 days. In 2002, the CFIA received 1976 reports of suspected adverse reactions to veterinary biologics, primarily vaccines for dogs and cats. This is a 20.4-percent increase compared with 2001 figures, and is attributed to increased public awareness of this program.

Animal Biotechnology

In March 2003, the CFIA hosted an Animal Biotechnology Focus Group meeting to define the Agency's role with respect to animal biotechnology. The Focus Group, comprising governmental regulators, academics and representatives from the biotechnology industry, made several recommendations concerning the future role of the CFIA in the regulation of animal biotechnology. The proceedings will be posted on the CFIA Web site in 2003.

Humane Transport

Canadians continue to express concern about the welfare of farm animals. Government and industry are working to improve compliance with regulatory provisions pertaining to transportation of animals. A proposed regulatory amendment to update requirements of animals in transport, such as for food, water and rest, will start the consultation phase in late 2003. Transportation of spent laying hens continues to improve, due to 1999 handling and transportation guidelines. Due to enhanced surveillance and improvements in industry practices, the percentage of dead birds arriving in shipments at federally registered establishments fell to an average of 1.4 percent in 2002 from 2.1 percent in 1998.

Non-ambulatory livestock are unable to stand without assistance. As a result, they must be dragged or carried. The CFIA conducted a two-month survey of non-ambulatory swine at 22 slaughter facilities and 13 auction markets/assembly facilities. More than 3 million hogs and sows were inspected. Of these, 4684 were found to be non-ambulatory upon arrival, and 60 percent of them were either condemned or partially condemned at slaughter. The data showed 1664 swine were non-ambulatory on farms, while 1372 became non-ambulatory during transportation. This data furthers the CFIA's work with stakeholders toward consensus on the handling and transport of these animals and a definition of "fitness for transport."

In support of its ongoing regulatory activities, and to address the challenges and risks that were outlined in the CFIA's 2002-03 RPP, the CFIA also fulfilled the following commitments:

Enhanced biosecurity: The CFIA increased the number of CFIA detector dog inspection teams at international airports from 9 to 15. The Agency developed biosecurity protocols for CFIA employees who visit or inspect farms and zoos, to prevent the inadvertent transmission of infectious agents between premises. The CFIA also expanded its public awareness program, started in 2001, to educate the public about restricted and prohibited agricultural and food products and the risk they pose to Canada's agricultural resources and environment.

North American disease modelling exercise: The CFIA is working on disease spread modelling with the USDA and others. This four-year project, funded by the Department of National Defence, will enhance Canada's preparedness against foreign animal diseases by modelling the spread of disease nationally and testing different mitigation strategies such as vaccination. The goal is to identify critical factors in large outbreaks and the best control measures for epidemics.

Emergency response planning: In 2002-03 the CFIA offered a wildlife Foreign Animal Disease preparedness course for federal, provincial and industry stakeholders. The course gave participants a better understanding of diseases that could affect domestic livestock. The CFIA and federal partners are also planning a foot-and-mouth disease simulation bioterrorist attack and cross-border foreign animal disease simulation events with the United States and Mexico. Other commitments include the following:

• Develop the Canadian Animal Disease Emergency Management System (CADEMS) database:

  The CFIA adapted a U.S. emergency management response system as an interim measure to respond to foreign animal disease outbreak scenarios. This data system will be available nationally in the fall of 2003. Developmental work is continuing on the integrated CADEMS.

• Continue to adapt disease control programs, as necessary, to respond effectively to emerging science:

  Disease control programs were modified as required, particularly in response to advances in diagnostics technology. For example, in 2002-03 the CFIA began validating a new blood test for tuberculosis in bovines, which is expected to improve the effectiveness of the testing.

Aquatic animal health issues: In 2002-03, the CFIA worked with Fisheries and Oceans Canada to study and develop options for the development of a National Aquatic Animal Health Program.

3.3.2 Control animal diseases that are transmissible to humans

Since animals can be carriers of diseases that affect humans, it is critical that the Agency carry out timely and effective surveillance, testing and control activities for zoonotic diseases (diseases transmissible to humans) of concern. For example, bovine tuberculosis, rabies and West Nile virus are zoonotic diseases that pose a serious threat to human health. Other pathogens, such as E. coli and salmonella, are harboured in animals and can have a detrimental effect on human health when transmitted. Serious poultry diseases such as pullorum disease (S. pullorum) and fowl typhoid (Salmonella gallinarum) are controlled through the CFIA's hatchery registration program. The program enables the registration and inspection of Canadian hatcheries, thereby limiting the effect of these diseases on the health of Canadians and Canadian poultry flocks marketed internationally and domestically.

For some diseases that occur infrequently, such as anthrax, the CFIA's response is activated by a disease report. The CFIA also carries out periodic surveys for infrequently occurring transmissible diseases and, in 2002, confirmed that the Canadian swine herd was free from swine brucellosis, pseudorabies and trichinellosis. A national survey of cattle to confirm freedom from bovine brucellosis, bluetongue and anaplasmosis was also initiated in 2002.

Bovine tuberculosis: Surveillance of bovine tuberculosis is ongoing as this disease nears eradication in Canadian cattle and farmed bison and cervids. In 2002, the CFIA identified tuberculosis in wild elk and deer near Manitoba's Riding Mountain National Park, prompting establishment of a special eradication area around the park. All cattle and bison herds in the area were tested, and three infected herds were found and eradication measures instituted. Approximately 300 cattle were destroyed and approximately $400 000 in compensation was paid. Livestock testing will continue for as long as the tuberculosis threat from diseased wildlife continues. The CFIA identified a tuberculosis-infected dairy cattle herd in Ontario, the first time the disease was found in that province in 10 years. Standard eradication measures were implemented on the infected farm and approximately 35 potentially exposed farms. No evidence was found that the infection had spread to other herds. As a result of these activities, all areas except the Riding Mountain Eradication Area are currently considered to be tuberculosis-free.

Rabies: Provincial governments are responsible for controlling rabies in wildlife. However, because this disease has the potential to be transmitted to humans or domestic livestock, the Agency conducts laboratory testing and follow-up investigations. In 2002, the CFIA tested 11 308 specimens for rabies compared with 14 654 in 2001. Of the specimens tested, 349 were positive. Of these cases, domestic livestock accounted for 7 percent, dogs and cats for 5 percent, bats for 32 percent and other wildlife for 56 percent. The 21-percent decrease in the number of positive rabies cases, from 444 in 2001, relates to lower numbers of cases of racoon rabies in Ontario and New Brunswick after those provinces instituted control programs.

In 2002-03, the CFIA conducted negotiations with each province to transfer the responsibility for the initial investigation of animal bite incidents involving humans to the appropriate provincial/territorial public health authorities. By October 2003, all provinces other than Quebec will have implemented this change. Canadians will be better served by the handling of such incidents through a single responsibility centre, and by the CFIA's delivery of programs in a more efficient and consistent fashion. Animal bite incidents involving dogs, cats or pet ferrets, numbering in the tens of thousands, are a significant public health issue, but rarely result in the transmission of rabies to humans. If the public health inspector or the owner decide that the possibility of rabies cannot be reasonably excluded, a CFIA veterinarian will be contacted immediately and the investigation will continue under the CFIA's rabies program.

West Nile virus: In 2002-03, the CFIA included West Nile virus in its list of Notifiable Diseases, which means that veterinary laboratories are required to report to the CFIA any positive cases in domestic animal species, including horses. This data is compiled and forwarded to Health Canada for inclusion in its West Nile virus data management system. The CFIA posts detailed information about its response to West Nile virus and links to Health Canada on its Web site at:

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/disemala/disemalae.shtml

In support of its ongoing regulatory activities, and to address the challenges and risks that were outlined in the CFIA's 2002-03 RPP, the CFIA also fulfilled the following commitments:

• Enhance partnerships: Together with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the CFIA worked with Canada's veterinary colleges on a funding proposal that will bring the colleges' infrastructure up to date to meet accreditation requirements and to enhance laboratory capacity and veterinary expertise. The CFIA also collaborates with Canada's veterinary colleges through the work of the Expert Committee (a sub-committee of the CAHCC) to identify strategic directions in scientific research and to develop a national curriculum that reflects current and future needs in science and veterinary regulatory medicine.

3.3.3 Meet other governments' science-based animal health and livestock feed safety requirements and contribute to the development of jointly agreed-upon operational methods and procedures

The CFIA facilitates the export of Canadian animals and animal genetics by negotiating protocols with prospective global trading partners. CFIA export certificates attest to the health of Canadian livestock that meet importing countries' requirements.

The CFIA negotiated 22 new export protocols⁵ in 2002-03 and improved access to markets by revising and updating export agreements. One significant market that opened to Canadian exporters is China's in vitro bovine embryo market. The export protocol for live swine was enhanced for some European Union (EU) countries. In 2002, market access to the EU for bovine embryos was restored. The EU's introduction of requirements in October 2001 had stopped the importation of Canadian bovine animals and embryos.

In October 2002, the CFIA signed an agreement with the United States to jointly enforce rules governing the transportation of horses. This partnership strengthens the CFIA's ability to ensure horses are transported humanely and in accordance with Canadian regulations.

The CFIA's comprehensive risk assessment on the status of BSE in cattle in Canada, which was completed in December 2002, proved crucial to meeting the needs of other governments requesting information on risk factors associated with this disease, found in a single cow in Alberta in May 2003.

In support of its ongoing regulatory activities, and to address the challenges and risks that were outlined in the CFIA's 2002-03 RPP, the CFIA also fulfilled the following commitments:

Promoted Industry Understanding of International Standards

In 2002-03, the CFIA, through the Canadian Animal Health Consultative Committee, continued to relay information on OIE developments and advise animal industry associations of changes to international standards for animal health that may affect trade. Reports of annual meetings are posted on the CFIA Web site.

Increased Surveillance Activities

As a member of international animal health and trade organizations, Canada complies with internationally accepted surveillance standards. For example, in 2002, Canada's testing for BSE exceeded the current international standard set by the OIE.

Contributed to the Development of International Standards

The CFIA's chief veterinarian is an official delegate to the OIE. This representation, along with the work of the CFIA's centre of expertise and reference laboratory and the CFIA's participation in the development of OIE Code chapters, ensures Canada is represented internationally and can influence development of world standards. In 2002-03, the CFIA collaborated in the development of the OIE Handbook on Import Risk Analysis: Animals and Animal Products. These activities represent the Agency's commitment to the development of a science-based international regulatory framework.

With respect to biotechnology and feeds, CFIA and Health Canada representatives participated in 2003 in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) 7^th Session of the Task Force for the Safety of Novel Foods and Feeds. Canada agreed to lead a project, involving the task force and a biotechnology group, to identify elements of molecular characterization.

3.3.4 Monitor compliance of livestock feeds with federal acts, regulations and standards

The CFIA verifies that livestock feeds, including rendered products manufactured and sold in Canada or imported to Canada, are safe, effective and labelled appropriately. Safe livestock feed is a prerequisite for the production of safe meat, milk, eggs and fish. Effective feeds contribute to the production and maintenance of healthy livestock.

The Feeds Act and Regulations require approval of new ingredients and specify registration requirements for feeds. Last year, the CFIA completed reviews of 726 applications from industry for feed registration or ingredient approval. Of these, 685 (94.4 percent) met regulatory requirements and were approved. This rate is consistent with previous years.

The CFIA regulates rendering plants and issues their operating permits. Rendering plants process approximately 1.8 million tonnes of inedible animal materials and produce a number of products, including high-quality protein meal used to manufacture livestock feed and pet food. Production of protein meal through rendering must comply with regulatory standards designed to prevent the spread of animal diseases such as BSE. Last year, Canada's 28 rendering facilities were found to be in compliance with the ruminant-to-ruminant feed ban regulations.

In support of its ongoing regulatory activities, and to address the challenges and risks that were outlined in the CFIA's 2002-03 RPP, the CFIA also fulfilled the following commitments:

Medicated Feeds Registration Program

In 2002-03, funding to regulate medicated animal feeds was approved under the Agricultural Policy Framework. The program will be implemented through proposed regulations to establish a minimum set of process control measures, including licence requirements for operators of medicated feed manufacturing establishments in Canada.

Improved Response Time for Permits and Certificates

The CFIA continues to meet its voluntary service standard to complete new feed ingredient registrations within 90 days. The time required by the CFIA to complete registrations increased from 48 days in 2001-02 to 64 days in 2002-03 because of increased demands to assess risks of potential feed contamination.

Improved Traceability

Last year, the CFIA conducted a traceability exercise for feed inspectors and program officer staff under the National Training Initiative. The exercise focused on the ability of industry to trace rendered products at all steps from source to the animal and on providing awareness training for the labels and records required in rendering establishments, at feed manufacturers and on farms.

Global Monitoring of Risks Associated with Rendering and Waste Products

In 2002-03, CFIA scientists kept abreast of emerging science on diseases (e.g., BSE) and chemical contamination that could affect Canada's rendering policies through participation in international organizations such as the OIE and CODEX.

International Standards Development

In 2002-03, the CFIA and Health Canada participated in a CODEX task force to develop a code of practice for animal feed manufacturing for commercial and on-farm manufacturers of livestock feed and feed ingredients.

Novel Feeds

The Feeds Act and Regulations also provide for the regulation of novel feeds. The regulations were amended in 1997 to include novel feeds from plant sources, and the regulatory requirements for applicants wishing to market these feeds were outlined in the regulatory directive, Guidelines for the Safety Assessment of Livestock Feed from Plants with Novel Traits. In 2002, the guidelines were reviewed and updated in consultation with representatives from the feed and agricultural industries, academia, government and consumer groups. In 2003, the CFIA will finalize new guidelines for novel feeds.

¹ All numbers in this paragraph are from 2001–02 data.

²Canada’s climate precludes the presence of some OIE List B diseases, which have never been reported here.

³In Canada, the following tissues are defined in regulation as SRM: skull, brain, trigeminal ganglia (clusters of nerve cells connected to the brain and closely apposed to the exterior of the skull), eyes, tonsils, spinal cord, and dorsal root ganglia (clusters of nerve cells connected to the spinal cord and closely apposed to the vertebral column) of cattle aged 30 months or older, and the distal ileum (part of the small intestine) of cattle of all ages. Specified risk materials, with the exception of the skull, are tissues that, in BSE-infected cattle, have been shown to contain the infective agent and transmit the disease.

⁴Veterinary biologics include vaccines, diagnostic kits and immunoglobulin products for use in domestic livestock, poultry, companion animals and fish.

⁵Market access for many bovine products was suspended in May 2003 following the finding of BSE in Canada.

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