Biohazard Containment and Safety

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency works with Agency scientists and technical experts to establish the biocontainment levels, procedures and protocols that are needed to work safely with animal and zoonotic pathogens, chemical hazards, and plant pests of quarantine significance, and to protect laboratory staff, the Canadian public, and the environment. The Agency, through the Office of Biohazard Containment and Safety, also coordinates the laboratory safety programs and provides guidance and support to the Agency's occupational health and medical surveillance programs.

Our activities include:

• development and enforcement of Containment Standards for Veterinary Facilities
• issuing import permits for animal pathogens
• facility certification for the importation of animal pathogens and plant pests of quarantine significance
• managing CFIA's laboratory safety programs
• providing advice for classification of Infectious Substances (6.2.) as per the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations (contact National Manager, Office of Biohazard Containment and Safety)

We provide information for:

• animal pathogen importers
• facility certification
  • facilities handling animal pathogens*
  • facilities handling prion disease agents*
  • facilities handling aquatic animal pathogens
  • foreign animal disease diagnostic laboratories
  • facilities handling plant pests

*The Containment Standards for Veterinary Facilities and Containment Standards for Laboratories, Animal Facilities and Post Mortem Rooms will be updated in the Canadian Biosafety Standards and Guidelines.