April 20, 2026, Ottawa
On March 26, 2026, an investigation by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), resulted in 7 charges laid against Prairie Pride Natural Foods Ltd. of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, for offences under the Health of Animals Act and Regulations and Safe Food for Canadians Regulations related to the transport and handling of poultry.
The following charges were laid under section 65 of the Health of Animals Act for alleged contraventions of the Health of Animals Regulations described below.
Section 138.2 (1) of the Health of Animals Regulations indicates that:
- Every commercial carrier and any other person who transports animals in the course of business or for financial benefit shall have a contingency plan that establishes measures that are to be taken in order to comply with the requirements of this Part if
(a) there are any unforeseen delays or circumstances that could result in the animal's unnecessary suffering, injury or death; or
(b) the animal becomes compromised or unfit during loading, confinement, transport or unloading.
Section 138.2 (2) of the Health of Animals Regulations indicates that:
- Any person who is required to have a contingency plan under subsection (1) shall inform their employees and agents or mandataries who load, confine, transport or unload animals or who take part in decision making, or advising the person operating the conveyance, in respect of the loading, confining, transporting or unloading of animals of the contingency plan.
Section 138.3 (2) of the Health of Animals Regulations indicates that:
- Every person who confines or transports an animal in a conveyance or container shall monitor the animal in a manner and frequency that is appropriate to assess the animal's capacity to withstand the confinement and transport, taking into account the risk factors set out in subsection (1).
Section 146 of the Health of Animals Regulations indicates that:
- No person shall load, confine or transport an animal in or unload an animal from a conveyance or container, or cause one to be so loaded, confined, transported or unloaded, if the animal is likely to suffer, sustain an injury or die due to inadequate ventilation or by being exposed to meteorological or environmental conditions.
The following three charges were laid under section 39(1) of the Safe Food for Canadians Act, for alleged contraventions of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations described below:
Section 88 of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations indicate that:
- Any person who is required to prepare, keep and maintain a preventive control plan must implement that plan.
Section 128 of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations indicate that:
- A licence holder must handle a food animal at the establishment in a manner that does not cause it avoidable suffering, injury or death and must not subject it to any condition that may cause such suffering, injury or death.
Section 134 of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations indicate that:
- A licence holder must provide a food animal with sufficient ventilation to prevent the suffering of, injury to or death of the animal.
Prairie Pride Natural Foods Ltd. is scheduled to appear in the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan, in Saskatoon on April 30, 2026.
The CFIA is responsible for the administration and enforcement of federal legislation, acts and regulations, including the Health of Animals Act and Regulations and Safe Food for Canadians Act and Regulations. We are dedicated to safeguarding food, animal, and plant health, which enhance the health and well-being of Canada's people, environment, and economy.
The CFIA issues notifications of charges laid to inform the public when charges have been laid by CFIA's Enforcement and Investigation Services (EIS). Charges are laid by EIS after the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) decides to prosecute the charges. This Notice is part of our commitment to openness and transparency and ongoing efforts to increase awareness of our role in encouraging compliance with the various acts and regulations. In all cases, the subject of charges is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
A Prosecution Bulletin-Disposition will be published at the conclusion of the court process.