Deratification Program

Through its Deratification Program, Health Canada protects public health by ensuring that international cargo vessels that come to our ports are free of rats.

Under International Health Regulations, international cargo vessels are required to obtain a deratification exemption certificate every six (6) months declaring the ship free of rats or evidence of rats. The certificate is issued upon completion of a full inspection of the ship by a qualified Derat Inspector as assigned by Health Canada. The deratification exemption certificates are available at any port designated by the World Health Organization. Ships can choose the port within the six month period. There are seven Canadian ports at which ships can obtain their these certificates.

Resources

For more information on the issuance of exemption certificates, please e-mail phb_bsp@hc-sc.gc.ca to request a copy of the Deratification Inspection Policy and Procedures Manual.

The World Health Organization has stated that the intention of the International Health Regulations is to strengthen procedures internationally to detect, reduce or eliminate the sources from which infections spread and to improve sanitation in and around ports. Health Canada is committed to fulfilling its role in meeting this objective for the benefit of the Canadian public and the global community.