RG-9 Documentation to support market access for livestock feeds – Mixed feeds and single ingredient feeds

Revised June 2025

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Purpose

The purpose of this regulatory guidance document is to provide information and direction to feed industry stakeholders in need of documentation from the Animal Feed and Veterinary Biologics Division (AFVBD) of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to support market access for feeds leaving Canada. This guidance document outlines the types of documents that are available from the AFVDB for livestock feeds and provides market access information for the United States (U.S.) and other markets.

Introduction

The AFVBD receives many inquiries and requests for assistance from feed industry members regarding the issuance of domestic (Canadian) documentation to support their market access activities for livestock feeds leaving Canada and destined for other markets. These feeds include both mixed feeds and single ingredient feeds (SIFs) (see the regulatory definitions for "mixed feed" and "SIF" found at the end of this document for more information).

The following sections outline those documents provided by AFVBD to support market access activities for livestock feeds.

Note 1: feeds for mink and foxes are not regulated under the Feeds Regulations, 2024 as these species are not designated as livestock in Canada. However, feeds for these species may still be subject to other regulatory requirements (such as animal health-related export conditions).

Note 2: feeds for non-livestock species – such as pets (including dogs and cats), exotic animals, zoo animals and wildlife (including for conservation/restocking purposes) - are exempt from the Feeds Act and Feeds Regulations, 2024. However, they may still be subject to requirements under other authorities administered by us, such as the Health of Animals Act and its regulations.

Market access documents available from the AFVBD

Certificates of free sale

A certificate of free sale for a livestock feed is a document confirming that a livestock feed (mixed feed or feed ingredient) complies with the Canadian Feeds Act and Feeds Regulations, 2024 and that the product is acceptable for free and open sale in Canada.

The certificate of free sale confirms that the product identified on the certificate meets applicable Canadian regulatory requirements and that a license, permit or other type of permission is not required in Canada to either purchase and/or use the product.

Certificates of free sale can only be issued for mixed feeds and SIFs that are compliant with the Canadian Feeds Act and Feeds Regulations 2024, specifically:

  • mixed feeds that are subject to registration and that have been registered by the AFVBD under the authority of the Feeds Act and Feeds Regulations, 2024
  • registered sources of a SIF found in part 2 of the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table (CFIT) of the Feeds Regulations, 2024
  • mixed feeds and SIFs located in part 1 of the CFIT that meet the exemption from registration criteria listed in section 6(3) of the Feeds Regulations, 2024 and
  • mixed feeds and SIFs located in part 1 the CFIT of the Feeds Regulations, 2024 that have been voluntarily registered

For mixed feeds that are exempt from registration under the Feeds Regulations, 2024, please contact the AFVBD directly via email for assistance before submitting your request for a certificate of free sale.

Compliant feeds are those that meet all applicable Canadian regulatory requirements, including those that apply to labelling.

Note 1: registered feeds that do not have a final label approved at the time the request for a certificate of free sale is received by the AFVBD will not be eligible for a certificate of free sale.

A certificate of free sale cannot be issued for a mixed feed or SIF that is non-compliant with the Canadian Feeds Act or Feeds Regulations, 2024. This applies to:

  • mixed feeds and feed ingredients that do not meet the exemption from registration criteria under the Feeds Regulations, 2024 and are currently unregistered (including unregistered and unapproved sources of SIFs located in part 2 of the CFIT)
  • mixed feeds and SIFs located in part 1 the CFIT of the Feeds Regulations, 2024 that are otherwise exempt from registration but that do not meet exemption criteria (for example, unapproved labelling information, additional label guarantee that has not been approved by AFVBD)
  • registered feeds (mixed feeds and SIFs) that are labelled with a label that has not been approved by the AFVBD and
  • registered and unregistered feeds (mixed feeds and SIFs) that are otherwise non-compliant with the Feeds Act and Feeds Regulations, 2024

Feed ingredients that are not approved for use in livestock feeds in Canada (are not listed in the CFIT) are not eligible for a certificate of free sale because they do not meet Canadian regulatory requirements.

Letters stating the regulatory authority of the CFIA over rendering plants with a valid permit to operate in Canada

For inedible rendering plants with a valid permit to operate and in the event, documentation is required to support market access activities, the AFVBD may issue a letter confirming that in Canada, this type of facility is issued a permit to operate under the authority of the Health of Animals Act and as required by the Health of Animals Regulations. Furthermore, the AFVBD will also indicate in the letter that the facility in question (including the name and address of the operation) holds a valid operating permit.

Types of documentation and attestations that are not supported by the AFVBD

The following types of documents and attestations will not be issued, reviewed, endorsed or approved by AFVBD in support of market access activities for livestock feeds (mixed feeds and SIFs):

  • documents identified and/or referred to as a Livestock Feed Export Certificate or as an Animal Feed Export Certificate unless they have been issued under the authority of the Health of Animals Regulations
  • documents identified and/or referred to as an Animal Health Certificate
  • documents identified and/or referred to as a Veterinary Export Certificate and/or as a Zoosanitary Certificate
  • documents identified and/or referred to as a Sanitary Certificate
  • documents identified and/or referred to as a Certificate of Origin or Certificate of Manufacturing
  • any type of document that is required to be reviewed, signed, approved and/or endorsed by a CFIA Veterinarian or CFIA Accredited Veterinarian
  • attestations pertaining to the presence or absence of:
    • animal proteins
    • drugs (including antibiotics)
    • total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), furans, dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs
    • hormones
    • radioactivity
    • pesticides
    • any other type of physical, chemical, microbial or environmental contaminant
  • statements that a product does not contain any genetically modified organisms (GMO) (or parts thereof) or that it is not derived from a genetically modified organism
  • analytical and laboratory results, certificates of analysis and/or other technical or scientific reports
  • labelling and product information not required by the Feeds Regulations, 2024 or that has not been previously approved by the AFVBD during the feed registration process
  • the presence or absence of nutrients and/or compounds other than those that are guaranteed on the feed label approved by the AFVBD (for registered feeds) or in the case of products that are exempt from registration under the Feeds Regulations, 2024, those guarantees that are required to appear on the label to be compliant with the Feeds Regulations, 2024
  • product manufacturing information (including but not limited to raw material and product specifications, manufacturing processes and procedures, quality assurance and quality control procedures, product packaging, storage and transportation, etc.)
  • information regarding the regulatory status of a product outside of Canada
  • any other type of product information, claim, statement, promotional information, performance data, etc. that has not been approved by the AFVBD during the feed registration process

How to request documentation from the AFVBD to support market access activities for livestock feeds

Send an email to the AFVBD's general mailbox at cfia.afp-paa.acia@inspection.gc.ca and indicate the following information in your email:

  • your full name
  • your company's full name and address
  • the mailing address you would like your documents sent to (if different than your company's address)
  • the type of market access documentation you are requesting for each feed (certificate of free sale or letter of regulatory authorities)
  • in the case of registered feeds, the registration number of each feed you are requesting market access documentation for
  • the number of copies you require for each document type
  • specify if the documents are to be in either English or French
  • the destination country or countries

If your feed is exempt from registration, include a copy of your product label as an attachment to your email message.

For mixed feeds that are exempt from registration, please provide the following documentation in addition to the product label:

  • the complete list of ingredients used to manufacture the mixed feed, including the full lists of ingredients for any premixes or supplements used in the formulation for the finished manufactured feed
  • the registration number for each registered mixed feed and each SIF located in part 2 of the CFIT used in the mixed feed's formulation
  • the complete and detailed formulation for the finished mixed feed, indicating the inclusion rate (as a percentage, on kg per tonne basis, etc.) for each ingredient used in the mixed feed

Requests for certificates of free sale for mixed feeds that are exempt from registration that do not provide the product label, the complete list of ingredients and/or the detailed product formulation with their initial email request may experience delays in the review process.

Upon review, if it has been determined that a mixed feed does not meet exemption from registration criteria a certificate of free sale will not be issued for the feed in question, as previously indicated.

Market access documents available from your local CFIA Office

Letters of inspection

For facilities that are inspected under the National Feed Inspection Program, we may issue a letter indicating the date of the last inspection of the facility conducted by a CFIA Feed Inspector.

Be aware that a letter of inspection cannot be issued if the facility is not inspected under the National Feed Inspection Program.

To request a letter of inspection for your facility, contact your local CFIA Office.

Market access for livestock feeds destined for the U.S.

Feed industry stakeholders wanting to obtain access to the U.S. market, see the Application for Certification of Livestock Feeds from Canada to the United States (CFIA/ACIA 5619) for details. Contact your local CFIA Office for more information on this process.

It is important to note that the focus of this market access activity is based on whether the feed(s) entering the U.S. from Canada contain any animal products and/or by-products. As such, it is the industry's responsibility to provide proper and acceptable information and documentation demonstrating that the product(s) destined for the U.S. meet the applicable requirements.

Additional information on U.S. import requirements for livestock feeds can be found on the following websites:

Market access for livestock feeds destined for countries other than the U.S.

For information and assistance on the market access requirements for livestock feeds for countries other than the U.S., interested parties can consult the following Government of Canada resources:

As is the case with feed industry members who want to obtain market access to the U.S. it is the responsibility of the stakeholder wanting to access these foreign markets to meet the importing country's requirements.

Market access information available via the Terrestrial Animal Health Export Program

Additional resources are available on our website for stakeholders who require assistance regarding animal health-related market access conditions and requirements:

Note: the previously mentioned animal health export policies and export certificates are outside of the scope of the AFVBD's National Feed Inspection Program. As such, AFVBD is not involved in animal health certification activities but may provide input should any feed statements be negotiated for such certificates.

Contact the CFIA Animal Health Office in your area for assistance with animal health-related market access questions you might have.

Market access information, plant exports (CFIA)

Information on the export requirements for plants and plant products can be found on our website.

This information may be of use to stakeholders who require assistance on plant health-related market access conditions:

As with animal health-related export policies and export certificates, plant exports and phytosanitary certificates are not part of the AFVBD's National Feed Inspection Program. Consequently, AFVBD is not involved in plant export or phytosanitary certification activities but may provide input into any feed statements that are negotiated for these certificates.

Contact the CFIA office in your area for assistance with any plant export or phytosanitary-related market access questions you might have.

Export of a non-compliant livestock feed

Livestock feed does not always have to meet all the requirements of the Feeds Regulations, 2024 if it is intended to be exported. Section 69 outlines the requirements that must be met for the export of livestock feed that is non-compliant with the Feeds Regulations, 2024.

Livestock feeds for export do not require registration. A livestock feed intended for export may contain an ingredient that is not included on the CFIT provided that the ingredient is not a novel viable organism, a feed with a novel trait or a feed that contains a novel product of biotechnology.

If a livestock feed intended for export is or contains a novel viable organism, a feed with a novel trait or a feed that contains a novel product of biotechnology it must be found on an acceptable list (see appendix 1) or it will require approval from us prior to being manufactured for export.

Livestock feeds intended for export do not need to meet the requirements outlined in sections 34 to 54 of the Feeds Regulations, 2024 which include:

  • the contaminants and other items that are not allowed in feeds
  • the content of feeds (what can be used to make a mixed feed)
  • standards related to the feed types
  • packaging requirements
  • labelling requirements
  • the name of the feed
  • the guaranteed analysis

If you manufacture livestock feed for export that does not meet the Feeds Regulations, 2024 you will be required to keep written documents of the foreign requirements and/or specifications which the livestock feed is being manufactured to as well as the associated lot information.

When you are manufacturing livestock feed where there is no requirement in the foreign country, the documentation must set out the specifications for the unmet requirements as stipulated by the importer in the foreign country.

When you are manufacturing a livestock feed where the foreign country has different requirements than those in Canada, you will need documentation to demonstrate that the foreign country's requirements have been met. 

Information to document could include:

  • description of importing country's conditions
  • proof that the container and markings comply with the conditions of the importing country
  • the contract with the importer clearly stating the quality specifications of the livestock feed
  • the lot number or lot code of the shipment marked on the label
  • the label on the container does not misrepresent the quality, quantity, composition, character, safety or value of the livestock feed
  • materials and incoming ingredients sources approved by the country of destination (if applicable) and any unique processes or establishment information which would impact the product compliance
  • foreign feed safety and compositional standards that differ from Canadian standards

We will not permit the export of livestock feeds that are marketed in a deceptive, false or misleading manner. It is mandatory to apply or attach a label to the livestock feed with the word "export" or "exportation." Exporters must be able to trace the product to ensure that it will not end up in the Canadian marketplace.

Note: non-compliant product should never jeopardize Canada's trade reputation. Canada protects countries without feed safety requirements with a minimum requirement that permits only products compliant with Canadian regulations to be exported.

Stay up to date

Stakeholders can stay up to date on news and updates for the feed industry by subscribing to the CFIA's email subscriptions service and selecting "Livestock feeds" under the heading "Animal information" to get the latest updates regarding our Animal Feed Program.

For questions or clarification on the exportation of livestock feeds from Canada, please contact the AFVBD of the CFIA by email: cfia.afp-paa.acia@inspection.gc.ca.

References

Regulatory definition of "feed" (section 2, Feeds Act): means any substance or mixture of substances containing amino acids, anti-oxidants, carbohydrates, condiments, enzymes, fats, minerals, non-protein nitrogen products, proteins or vitamins, or pelletizing, colouring, foaming or flavouring agents and any other substance manufactured, sold or represented for use:

  • (a) for consumption by livestock,
  • (b) for providing the nutritional requirements of livestock, or
  • (c) for the purpose of preventing or correcting nutritional disorders of livestock,

or any substance for use in any such substance or mixture of substances

Regulatory definition of "mixed feed" (section 1, Feeds Regulations, 2024): means a feed that contains at least two single ingredient feeds.

Regulatory definition of "single ingredient feed" (section 1, Feeds Regulations, 2024): means any substance or mixture of substances that has been approved for feeding to livestock and that is listed in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table.

Appendix 1

Livestock feeds intended for export must be approved if the feed that is intended to be exported is or contains an ingredient that is a novel viable organism, a feed with a novel trait or a feed that includes a novel product of biotechnology manufactured in Canada unless it is a substance or a living organism that:

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