Import Conditions for Horses from European Union Member States for Temporary Stay in Canada: Horses for Competition or Racing, Training and Stallions for Non-Competitive Entertainment

TAHD-DSAT-IE-2011-6-5
September 8, 2025

Amendments

• The requirement for Glanders testing during post-import quarantine in Canada for horses imported from Germany has been removed

Note

Canada does not recognize Germany to be free from Glanders anymore. Please refer to the specific section for this disease.

The import conditions outlined in this document^Footnote 1 also apply to the following domestic equids:

• asses
• mules; and
• hinnies

Note

To change a temporary status to a permanent-entry status, the imported horse must meet all conditions mentioned below and must have been submitted to a complete contagious equine metritis (CEM) procedure,^Footnote 2 including, for stallions, mating to 2 test mares.

In addition to the import conditions outlined below, some categories of horses have specific conditions that are described in the appendices.

Documentation instructions

• Import permit
• Export certificate:
  • export certificates of origin must be issued by an official of the exporting country export documents must contain all statements and information that are required by the Import permit

Conditions of import

Residency

The residency of the horse(s) being presented for importation must be certified as follows:

• the horse(s) must have been continually resident in the European Union (EU), either for a minimum of 60 days immediately preceding export to Canada (any required pre-export quarantine period is in addition to the 60 days of residency) or since birth if the horse is less than 60 days of age

Disease-free status

The disease-free status of any country or zone (as previously approved by the CFIA) must be confirmed:

• the country or zone (as previously approved by the CFIA) remains free of the following diseases: (list all diseases for which country or zone freedom has been designated, as indicated in the import requirements)
• the horse(s) must be certified as originating from a country or zone designated free from African horse sickness (AHS) and Japanese encephalitis and these diseases are notifiable in that country or zone, and no restrictive measures are in place on these diseases by the EU or Member State
• the horse(s) must be certified as originating from a country or zone designated free from Dourine and Glanders during the 6 months immediately preceding exportation to Canada and these diseases are notifiable in that country or zone, and no restrictive measures are in place on these diseases by the EU or Member State.

African horse sickness

The horse(s) must be certified against African horse sickness (AHS) as follows:

• during the 90 days prior to export to Canada, the horse(s) were not commingled with any horses (including imported horses) that have been in an area where restrictive measures are in place on AHS or in a country or zone where AHS has been diagnosed in the past 2 months
• they have not been vaccinated against AHS within the 2 months prior to export to Canada

and

• the Member State is in full compliance with the relevant EU legislation for this disease

Dourine

The horse(s) must be certified against Dourine as follows:

• during the 90 days prior to export to Canada, the horse(s) have not had contact with any horses (including imported horses) that have been in an area where restrictive measures are, or have been, in place on Dourine during the preceding 6 months

and

• the Member State is in full compliance with the relevant EU legislation for this disease

Glanders

The horse(s) must be certified against Glanders as follows:

For all Member States (except Germany):

• during the 90 days prior to export to Canada, the horse(s) have not had contact with any horses (including imported horses) that have been in an area where restrictive measures are, or have been, in place on Glanders during the preceding 6 months

and

• the Member State is in full compliance with the relevant EU legislation for this disease

For Germany, the following must be certified:

• all premises on which the animal(s) have resided in the past 6 months must have been free from clinical and epidemiological evidence of Glanders infection during the 24 months immediately prior to movement of the animal(s) off the premises
• the horses must have been tested with a cold complement fixation test or, where applicable, an alternate test acceptable to CFIA for Glanders, with negative results, on samples taken within the 30 days prior to export to Canada

Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis

The horse(s) must be certified against Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) as follows:

• the horse(s) have not been, during the past 6 months, in any country or zone in which VEE has occurred in the last 2 years
• they have not been vaccinated against VEE within the 2 months prior to export to Canada

and

• the Member State is in full compliance with the relevant EU legislation for this disease

Equine piroplasmosis

The horse(s) must be certified for Equine piroplasmosis (EP) as follows:

• during the 90 days prior to export to Canada, the horse(s) have not been on a premises where EP has occurred

  They must have tested negative for EP using an indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test or, where applicable, an alternate test for EP that is acceptable to the CFIA, on blood samples taken within the 30 days prior to export to Canada.

• during post-entry quarantine in Canada, the horse(s) must be retested using an IFA test or, where applicable, an alternate test for EP that is acceptable to the CFIA, with negative results

and

• they were maintained free from ticks by preventive treatment, when necessary, during the 30 days prior to shipment

Note

For horses participating in a competition or a race in Canada, please refer to appendix 1 for the EP-related post-import conditions.

Equine infectious anemia

The horse(s) must be certified against Equine infectious anemia (EIA) as follows:

• the horse(s) must be certified as originating from a country or zone in the EU where the disease is notifiable.
• during the 90 days prior to export to Canada, they have not been on a premises where EIA has occurred, nor has this disease occurred on any adjoining premises during the same period.

and

• they must have tested negative for EIA using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test or, where applicable, an alternate test for EIA acceptable to the CFIA on blood samples taken within the 30 days prior to export to Canada

  during post-entry quarantine in Canada, the horse(s) must be retested for EIA using an ELISA test or, where applicable, an alternate test for EIA that is acceptable to the CFIA, with negative results

Note

For horses participating in a competition or a race in Canada, please refer to appendix 1 for the EIA-related post-import conditions.

Contagious equine metritis

Refer to the appendices 1 to 3.

Identification requirement

The horse(s) must be identified by:

• a microchip, of which the number must be recorded on the accompanying export health certificate and on the accompanying official passport
• when possible, the microchip number should also appear on other identification documents

The importer is responsible for providing the CFIA with a reader capable of reading the microchip, unless the microchip is an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) chip.

and

• another recognised (for example breed registry, Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) or Equine Canada passport, etc.) means of identification which clearly and uniquely identifies the animal, and includes verifiable visual characteristics (for example graphic representation, photo, tattoo, etc.)
• if there is a unique number associated with the second means of identification (for example passport number), it should be recorded on the export health certificate

Pre-export isolation

Pre-export isolation is required as follows:

• the horse(s) must be certified to have been isolated for the entire time needed to complete all testing requirements, immediately prior to export to Canada, on a premises approved by a veterinary inspector of the central veterinary service of the Member State of origin or a veterinarian officially recognised by the competent authority of that Member State
• the horse(s) have remained free from any evidence of infectious and contagious disease during the isolation period

The required pre-export isolation is not a quarantine. Minimum requirements for pre-export isolation are as follows:

• horses in pre-export isolation need to be housed individually (unless they share a stall with a horse going to Canada and meeting Canada's import requirements)
• horses need to have dedicated equipment
• no nose-to-nose contact with other equids is allowed during the isolation period
• as long as the above conditions are met, exercising and handling of the horse outside the stall, but on the approved premises, is permitted
• the isolation can take place where the horse is currently residing as long as the premises have been approved

Additional certification

• The horse(s) being presented for importation must not come into contact with any animals, products, or equipment of a lesser zoosanitary health status during the entire required periods of residency, isolation, transportation to the port of exportation, and loading onto the international transport carrier, and the carrier must be instructed to maintain this status throughout transport to the port of entry into Canada
• they must be certified as inspected by a veterinarian
• they must be certified as inspected and found free from ectoparasites
• they must be certified as inspected by an inspector designated for such purposes by the central veterinary service of the country of origin during the 72-hour period immediately preceding export to Canada, and they must be found healthy and free from any clinical evidence of infectious disease and, as far as can be determined, exposure thereto (the date of the examination must be stated on the certificate)

Post-entry import conditions

The conveyance used to transport the imported horses must be sealed at the port of entry by a CFIA inspector, if the animals are not uniquely identified or if there is any reason for concern about the destination or the route to be taken to that destination

CFIA inspectors who seal conveyances must advise receiving District Offices before sealed shipments are anticipated to arrive at the destination. The seals must be removed at destination by, or under the authority of, a CFIA inspector.

The horse(s) being presented for importation must be quarantined for the period of time necessary to complete the tests that are required to meet the import conditions

They must be imported into Canada through a minimum-level quarantine facility, approved by the CFIA for that purpose
The import quarantine facility must have been previously approved for use as a minimum security quarantine facility by a veterinary inspector who is designated under the Health of Animals Act.

The facility evaluation shall include the following:

• location
• fencing
• physical structure
• lighting
• water supply
• waste disposal
• vector and pest control
• movement of people
• security; and
• cleaning and disinfection protocols

A report that the facility has been approved must have been issued by the CFIA. No animal may be moved from its respective quarantine premises until duly discharged by an inspector designated under the Health of Animals Act. On completion of quarantine with negative results on all tests, the animals will be released to the importer and/or owner.

Appendix 1 - Horses participating in a competition or in racing (short term) in Canada

Note

These conditions do not apply to horses in "special training status." See appendix 2 for the appropriate conditions for this category of horses.

Pre-export isolation

No officially approved pre-export isolation is required for this category of horses. However, the expectation is that horses being exported will have no direct contact with horses, or equipment used on horses, of an unknown or lesser health status during the time it takes to complete testing requirements.

CEM import conditions

The horse(s) must be certified for contagious equine metritis (CEM) as follows:

• during the 90 days prior to export to Canada, they have not been on a premises where CEM has occurred

CEM testing is not required (neither in the country of origin nor during the temporary stay in Canada).

EP and EIA post-entry conditions

Equine piroplasmosis (EP) and equine infectious anemia (EIA) post-entry testing is not required.

Additional conditions

The horse(s) must not enter Canada before the date specified on the permit and must be removed from Canada within 7 days of completion of the competition.

They are not eligible for permanent entry into Canada and must be maintained at premises approved by the CFIA
Movement from the approved premises is permitted only for the purposes of export or destruction.

They must not be bred and must not be exposed to breeding equines, other than equines participating in the equine events, during their stay in Canada.

The imported horses must not be catheterized nor have any examination of the urogenital tract while in Canada.

Appendix 2 - Horses in special training status

These conditions apply to thoroughbred horses over 2 years of age, imported into Canada for training purposes and possible subsequent racing for a maximum period of 6 months, from France, Germany, the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland.

If less than 2 years of age or gelded, thoroughbreds from the designated countries imported for training purposes and possible subsequent racing must meet the import conditions for permanent stay in Canada.

The horses must not be bred nor exposed to breeding equines, other than equines participating in the equine events, during their stay in Canada. The imported horses must not be catheterized nor have any examination of the urogenital tract conducted while in Canada.

• For the import permit application, the importer must provide the CFIA with the following information:
  • the duration of the stay in Canada (the stay cannot exceed 6 months)
  • the names and locations of the premises on which the horses will be kept while in Canada
• Any demise while in Canada must be reported to the CFI
• If, during the stay in Canada, these horses go to the United States for training and/or racing and return to Canada, the CFIA must be advised
  • In addition, in these cases, all import conditions that are outlined in this import permit apply even if the horse(s) stay in the U.S. for more than 60 days.

and

either

• The horses must be removed from Canada at the end of the time period mentioned in the import permit (not more than 6 months)

or

• To change the status of the horses to a permanent-entry status, the imported horses must be submitted to the complete contagious equine metritis (CEM) procedure,^Footnote 2 including, for stallions, the mating by natural service of 2 test mares

CEM import conditions

The horses being presented for importation must be thoroughbreds in training and must be able to be certified as having been only in training or racing status as follows:

since reaching 2 years (731 days) of age, the horses being imported as thoroughbreds in training must have been continually resident in France, Germany, the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland and can be certified through records (Wetherby Racecourse and/or La Société d'Encouragement) to have been in training or on racing status only. The horses must not have been on a premises where breeding operations were carried out or where CEM has been diagnosed.

Stallions over 2 years of age

The horse(s) must be certified as free from CEM as follows:

• during the 90 days prior to export to Canada, they have not been on a premises where CEM has occurred

and

• In the country of origin, 3 sets of 3 specimens (swabs) must have been collected from the:

  1. prepuce (sheath)
  2. fossa glandis (same as urethral fossa), including the diverticulum (same as urethral sinus); and
  3. terminal (distal) end of the urethra

  The specimens must have been collected, within 30 days of exportation to Canada, on 3 separate days with a minimum of 3 days and a maximum of 8 days between the 3 sets of swabs. The specimens must have been refrigerated (not frozen) during transport and been cultured for CEM within 48 hours of collection in a laboratory approved by the National Veterinary Service of the country of origin. The specimens must be cultured for at least 7 days (starting when the samples are cultured to laboratory media and not when the samples are taken), after which, negative culture results must have been obtained.

  An official copy of the lab report must be attached to the certificate.

Note

The stallions must not have been bred by natural breeding nor collected for the purpose of artificial insemination. During the 30 days preceding export to Canada, no manipulation and/or treatment of the reproductive tract (except swab collection) was performed. If the animal is undergoing any form of antibiotic treatment, swabbing for culture must not commence until a minimum of 7 days post treatment.

For a stallion that had a positive result in a previous test for CEM

The stallion must be treated for CEM in a manner approved by the official veterinary services of the exporting country. After the treatment is completed, at least 21 days must pass before the stallion will be eligible for testing again in accordance with the above-mentioned CEM testing conditions. Negative results must be obtained on swabbing.

and

After the test results on swabbing, the stallion must be mated to 2 test mares. A minimum of 3 days after mating, each test mare must be tested by culture in accordance with CFIA's requirements for swabbing and culture of mares in the country of origin. (Refer to import requirements for mares - section Mares over 2 years of age below). After a minimum of 21 days and a maximum of 30 days post mating, each test mare must be tested by a complement fixation (CF) test. There must have been negative test results for culture and CF obtained on the test mares before the stallion can be exported to Canada.

and

• All treatments and dates of the treatments must be recorded on the health certificate

Mares over 2 years of age

The horse(s) must be certified as free from CEM as follows:

• during the 90 days prior to export to Canada, they have not been on a premises where CEM has occurred

and

• in the country of origin, 3 sets of 3 specimens (swabs) must have been collected from the mucosal surfaces of the:

  1. clitoral fossa
  2. clitoral lateral and medial sinuses; and
  3. cervix or endometrium (an endometrial swab is only required if the mare is in estrus.)

  The 3 sets of swabs must be performed on 3 separate days with a minimum of 3 days and a maximum of 8 days between the 3 sets of swabs within 30 days of the date of export to Canada. The specimens must have been refrigerated (not frozen) during transport and been cultured for CEM within 48 hours of collection in a laboratory approved by the National Veterinary Service of the country of origin. The specimens must be cultured for at least 7 days (starting when the samples are cultured to laboratory media and not when the samples are taken), after which, negative culture results must have been obtained.

  An official copy of the lab report must be attached to the certificate.

Note

The mares must not have been bred by natural breeding nor collected for the purpose of artificial insemination. During the 30 days preceding export to Canada, no manipulation and/or treatment of the reproductive tract (except swab collection) was performed.

If the animal is undergoing any form of antibiotic treatment, swabbing for culture must not commence until a minimum of 7 days post treatment.

For a mare that had a positive result in a previous test for CEM

• The mare must be treated for CEM in a manner approved by the official veterinary services of the exporting country
  After the treatment is completed, at least 21 days must pass before the mare will be eligible to be tested again in accordance with the above-mentioned CEM testing conditions. Negative results must be obtained.

and

• All treatments and dates of the treatments must be recorded on the health certificate

Appendix 3 - Stallions over 2 years of age for non-competitive entertainment

These conditions apply to stallions^Footnote 3 over 2 years of age, imported into Canada for non-competitive public exhibition and entertainment purposes for an unlimited time period, from the EU. While in Canada, these horses are not allowed to enter competitions and must, unless sick or injured, perform on a regular basis for entertainment or exhibition, or be undergoing training for such activities.

Mares over 2 years of age, geldings, foals under 2 years of age, or stallions over 2 years of age which can meet the entire CEM post-entry conditions (breeding to 2 test mares), imported for non-competitive public exhibition and entertainment purposes must meet the import conditions for permanent stay in Canada.

To change the status of the imported stallions to a permanent-entry status, they must be submitted to the complete CEM procedure,^Footnote 2 including the mating by natural service to 2 test mares, or gelded after importation.

For the import permit application, the importer must provide the CFIA with the following information:

• the duration of the stay in Canada
• a description of the events/shows in which the horses will perform while in Canada
• the names and locations of the events and/or shows where the horses will perform while in Canada, and the dates the horses will perform at each event/show
• the names and locations of the premises on which the horses will be kept while in Canada, and the dates and duration the horses will be kept on each premises
• information on transportation and the horses' itinerary while in Canada
• the following information on the identification of each horse to be imported:
  • photographs (head and lateral views) of each horse and required microchip number (refer to the section in Identification Requirement)
• every 6 months, the importer and/or owner must provide the CFIA with an update on the previous information

CEM import conditions

The horse(s) being presented for importation must be able to be certified as not having been used for breeding purposes.

Since reaching 2 years (731 days) of age, the horses being imported must have been resident in either France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, or the Netherlands and can be certified through records that the horses have not been used for breeding purposes. The horses must not have been on a premises where breeding operations were carried out or where CEM has been diagnosed.

The horse(s) must be certified as free from contagious equine metritis (CEM) as follows:

• during the 90 days prior to export to Canada, they have not been on a premises where CEM has occurred

and

• in the country of origin, within 30 days of the date of export to Canada, 1 set of 3 specimens (swabs) must have been collected from the:

  1. prepuce (sheath)
  2. fossa glandis (same as urethral fossa), including the diverticulum (same as urethral sinus); and
  3. terminal (distal) end of the urethra

  The specimens must have been refrigerated (not frozen) during transport and been cultured for CEM within 48 hours of collection in a laboratory approved by the National Veterinary Service of the country of origin. The specimens must be cultured for at least 7 days (starting when the samples are cultured to laboratory media and not when the samples are taken), after which, negative culture results must have been obtained.

  An official copy of the lab report must be attached to the certificate.

Note

The stallions must have never been bred by natural breeding nor collected for the purpose of artificial insemination. The stallions must not have undergone manipulation and/or treatment of the reproductive tract (except swab collection) during the 30 days preceding export to Canada.

If the animal is undergoing any form of antibiotic treatment, swabbing for culture must not commence until a minimum of 7 days post treatment.

For a stallion that had a positive result in a previous test for CEM

The stallion must be treated for CEM in a manner approved by the official veterinary services of the exporting country
After the treatment is completed, at least 21 days must pass before the stallion will be eligible to be tested again in accordance with the above-mentioned CEM testing conditions. Negative results must be obtained on swabbing.

and

• All treatments and treatment dates must be recorded on the health certificate

During post-entry quarantine in Canada

• One set of 3 swabs must be collected from the:

  1. prepuce (sheath)
  2. fossa glandis (same as urethral fossa), including the diverticulum (same as urethral sinus); and
  3. terminal (distal) end of the urethra

  The specimens must be refrigerated (not frozen) during transport and cultured for CEM within 48 hours of collection. The specimens must be cultured for at least 10 days, and negative culture results must be obtained.

Following the negative results, the stallion must be treated for 5 consecutive days as follows:

While the stallion is in full erection, the prepuce, penis, including the fossa glandis and urethral sinus, are thoroughly cleaned and washed (with warm water and a mild detergent) to eliminate smegma and all extraneous debris.

The stallion's prepuce, penis, including the fossa glandis and urethral sinus, are then packed with an ointment that is effective against the CEM organism (0.2% nitrofurazone).

Additional post-entry conditions

• while in Canada and after release from quarantine, the horses must be kept with the other horses listed on the import permit, unless otherwise authorized by the CFIA, and must not be kept on a breeding premises
• all premises on which the horses are kept while in Canada must be pre-approved by the CFIA
• the horses must not be kept with other horses, other than those listed on the import permit, except when performing, or being exhibited or exercised
• the horses must not be used for breeding and must have no sexual contact with other horses or be left unattended while with other horses – the imported horses must not be catheterized nor undergo any examination of the urogenital tract while in Canada, unless necessary and with CFIA approval.
• the horses can only be moved according to the itinerary and transportation that is approved by the CFIA, or for the diagnosis or treatment of a medical condition with CFIA approval
  If the importer or owner of the horse wishes to change the previously declared itinerary or transportation, he/she must send a written request to the CFIA at least 3 weeks before the anticipated change
  • CFIA authorization will be granted if determined that the new proposed itinerary and transportation are reasonable and if sufficient CFIA personnel are available to provide the services
• during their stay in Canada, the horses will be monitored by the CFIA on a regular basis to ensure that they are moved according to the import permit (for example itinerary, no contact with horses not listed on the permit, not used for breeding purposes, including artificial insemination or semen collection)
• while in Canada, the horses can only be moved with a CFIA-written authorization (licence)
• to change the status of the imported stallions to a permanent-entry status, they must be submitted to the complete CEM procedure,^Footnote 2 including the mating by natural service to 2 test mares, or gelded after importatio