Animal Pathogen Import Program

Import Permits for Animal Pathogens

The Health of Animals Act and its regulations give the CFIA the legislative authority to control the use of imported animal pathogens and pathogens associated with reportable animal diseases. Permits are required for the importation of all animal pathogens into Canada. For an agent brought into Canada under an import permit which restricts its distribution, further approval must be obtained before transferring the agent to another location.

• Disease Agent Information

The Office of Biohazard Containment & Safety (OBCS) also establishes the conditions under which animal pathogens will be maintained and work will be carried out. The containment level required for working with specific pathogens is kept in a listing maintained by the office.

An application to import animal pathogens into Canada must be made to the CFIA. After evaluation and approval by the OBCS, an import permit will be issued which must accompany the pathogen into Canada. A single or multiple-entry permit will be issued according to the particular situation. The import permit will specify the conditions under which the pathogen is to be maintained and work is to be carried out.

• Containment Level 2 Inspection Checklist
• Statement of Renewal
• Frequently Asked Questions

Applicants are also required to submit the application form "Facility Certification for the Importation of Animal Pathogens"

• Application for Permit to Import (CFIA/ACIA 5083)
  • Instructions for the Successful Completion of Form

Note: CFIA policy does not allow for the issuance of a permit for material that has already arrived in Canada. If the product is in Canada without a valid import permit it must be returned to the exporter or destroyed.

Permit Fees

$35 Single Entry Permit (valid for 3 months)
$60 Multiple Entry Permit (valid for 1 year)
$20 Amendment to an existing permit

Facility Certification for the Importation of Animal Pathogens

Laboratories handling animal pathogens should refer to the Containment Standards for Veterinary Facilities to verify that their operational practices and physical containment facilities are adequate for the animal pathogen they wish to work with. Laboratories importing pathogens at Animal Pathogen (AP) containment level 2 may be inspected by regional CFIA inspectors to ensure compliance with the conditions specified in the import permit, or they may be requested to fill in a detailed inspection checklist. Applicants importing pathogens at AP containment level 3 or 4 will have their facilities inspected and approved prior to issuance of the import permit.

All non-conformities identified during an on-site inspection will be immediately communicated to the applicant together with a corrective action request. The inspector's report will be submitted to the Office of Biohazard Containment & Safety. Follow-up inspections will be periodically performed to ensure permit conditions are being complied with.

• Facility Certification for the Importation of Animal Pathogens (CFIA/ACIA 5083)
  • Instruction for the Scuccessful Complettion of the Form

Importing Zoonotic Pathogens

The importation of agents of zoonotic or communicable diseases common to humans and animals also requires application to the Public Health Agency of Canada under the Human Pathogens Importation Regulations.

• Importation permits for Human Pathogens

Other Activities

For importation of animal products and tissues that are free of animal pathogens, contact your CFIA Area Office.

The Canadian Food inspection Agency does not regulate export of pathogens and toxins from Canada. The Export and Import Control Bureau of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) is responsible for administering the Export and Import Permits Act. DFAIT produces an Export Control List with Group 7 Chemical and Biological Weapons, Non-Proliferation List containing the list of human, animal and plant pathogens and toxins that require an export permit.