CFIA's commitment
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is committed to working directly with affected producers so that the compensation process runs as smoothly as possible.
Under the Health of Animals Act, the CFIA may order the destruction of animals or things affected by a disease. Such an order, while unfortunate and difficult for all concerned, is often necessary to keep humans and other animals safe, and to keep export markets open.
What is covered
The CFIA may compensate animal owners for:
- animals ordered destroyed
- costs related to the disposal of the animals ordered destroyed
- other things ordered destroyed, such as contaminated feed or animal products
- costs related to the disposal of the following list of things ordered destroyed:
- animal food (such as feed)
- non-commercial freezers and refrigerators
- cages, crates, and nesting boxes
- feed troughs
- their own personal labour used in carrying out destruction orders
- vaccination costs for animals ordered to be treated
Note: The CFIA will not compensate animal owners for loss of future revenues. Things ordered cleaned and disinfected are not eligible for compensation.
Compensation
Compensation may be awarded for the animals and things ordered destroyed. Disposal costs may also be covered for animals ordered destroyed, as well as certain things ordered destroyed.
The Compensation for Destroyed Animals and Things Regulations (CDATR) are the regulations that set the parameters and eligibility for compensation that may be provided to owners (such as a producer or farmer) who have been ordered to destroy their animals or things. The objective of the CDATR is to encourage the early reporting of animal disease, and the cooperation of owners in eradication efforts. It is not meant to provide the full replacement value of an animal or thing ordered destroyed, nor replace existing insurance schemes.
The CFIA bases compensation amounts for animals ordered destroyed on their market value at the time of the order for destruction, up to a maximum amount as stipulated in the CDATR. Compensation amounts for the market value of things ordered destroyed will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. At the time of evaluation, the CFIA will take into account available market reports and/or other models and supporting documents in order to reach a final value up to the maximum amount stipulated in the Schedule to the regulations.
The process
1. Initial visit
When a CFIA district veterinarian determines that an animal disease is present or suspected on a farm, they may issue an "order for destruction (CFIA/ACIA 4202)". The veterinarian will provide an overview of the compensation process and decide which assessment method will be used to award compensation.
In emergencies, the compensation process may be slightly modified in order to respond as quickly as possible to the emerging animal health situation.
2. Compensation assessment
To be eligible to receive compensation, the CFIA must issue an order for destruction. Orders to clean and disinfect are not eligible for compensation.
Compensation amounts reflect the market value of the animals and things at the time of destruction, up to the maximum amount even if the animal's market value exceeds the maximum regulatory amount as stipulated in the CDATR.
To be eligible to receive compensation for the animal(s), supporting evidence of the animal's value must be provided. This evidence may include receipts, historical sales records, contracts, and purebred registration certificates.
Compensation assessment – animals ordered destroyed
When assessing compensation for animals ordered destroyed, the CFIA determines market value for animals in 2 different ways:
Method 1: This method applies to cattle, bison, horses, sheep, goats, elk, and deer industries when animals are sold in private or public sales. This approach is used to determine the market value of an animal in a disease free market, between a willing buyer and a willing seller who are knowledgeable, informed, and prudent, and who are acting independently of each other.
Method 2: This method may be used for animals such as egg-laying, meat-producing, and hatching-egg birds when determination of the current market value is unavailable. The CFIA uses economic models or evaluation tools to determine an animal's value at the time of its destruction.
Important information to note:
- for animals ordered destroyed, the owner of the animal may receive compensation for the assessed market value of the animal up to the maximum amount as stipulated in the CDATR
- in cases where there is no food safety risk, animals may be destroyed by slaughter
- The owner(s) of the animal(s) will receive the harvest value of the animals from the processor directly
- Owner(s) will be eligible to receive compensation for the difference between the harvest value and live animal market value if there is any
- once the owner of an animal submits the required documents and the claim has been approved, payment can be expected in 6 to 8 weeks
- This timeline can vary depending on the quality, relevancy, and complexity of the documentation provided by the owner, and volume of compensation claims
The owner may be eligible for compensation for costs related to the disposal or destruction of animals ordered destroyed up to the amount that a commercial service would normally charge. This can also include costs associated with:
- transporting the animal to a destruction or disposal site
- cleaning and disinfecting the conveyance (including trucks, trailers, and crates) used for the transportation
Owners may be compensated for eligible labour expenses used in carrying out destruction orders, such as costs incurred for third-party service providers, employee pay, or the owner's personal labour.
- Compensation for an owner's personal labour used to carry out destruction orders will be based on Statistic Canada's average hourly wage for an agricultural worker in the owner's province or territory
Compensation assessment – things ordered destroyed
Under the CDATR, an owner may be eligible for compensation for costs related to the disposal of a limited list of things ordered destroyed. Specifically: animal food (such as feed); non-commercial freezers and refrigerators; cages, crates, and nesting boxes; and feed troughs. The amount may be up to the amount that a commercial service would normally charge and can include costs associated with transporting the thing to a destruction or disposal site, cleaning and disinfecting the conveyance used for the transportation of the thing, and destroying or disposing of the thing.
The limited list of things ordered destroyed applies only to compensation for costs related to the disposal. Owners are eligible to receive compensation for the market value of things ordered destroyed (that is, the replacement cost, assessed on a case-by-case basis) even if those things are not included on the list.
Things are only ordered destroyed when cleaning and disinfection is not possible. Things ordered cleaned and disinfected are not eligible for compensation.
3. Compensation payments and appeals
Once the evaluation of the animals is complete, the owner will receive a signed copy of a Requirement to Dispose and Award of Compensation form (CFIA/ACIA 4203).
Owners eligible for compensation for things will also receive a signed copy of a Requirement to Dispose and Award of Compensation (for things) form (CFIA/ACIA 4210).
If the animal owner thinks the compensation amount awarded is unreasonable, they may appeal the decision within 3 months of receiving the compensation form via registered mail or in person.
Appeals are sent to the following address:
Federal Court Registry
Courts Administration Services
Attn: Application Section
90 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A0H9
Other financial assistance
Beyond compensation for animals and things ordered destroyed, other financial assistance may be available through programs administered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), and, in some cases, provincial or territorial governments. Learn more about AAFC's financial assistance programs. For more information, contact your local AAFC office and/or your provincial/territorial agriculture ministry office.
General enquiries
Toll-free: 1-855-773-0241
TTY: 613-773-2600
Fax: 613-773-1081
Email: aafc.info.aac@agr.gc.ca
Online: contact form
Mail:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
1341 Baseline Road
Ottawa, ON K1A 0C5
Hours of service: 8 am to 5 pm (CT)
Monday to Friday
Programs and services
Toll-free: 1-866-367-8506
TTY: 613-773-2600
Fax: 1-877-949-4885
Telephone (international): 204-926-9650
Fax (international): 204-259-5642
Hours of service: 8 am to 5 pm (CT)
Monday to Friday
For more information on CFIA compensation
- Health of Animals Act
- Compensation for Destroyed Animals and Things Regulations
- Reportable Diseases Regulations