Canada's proposed National Framework for African Swine Fever Compartments

On this page

• Introduction
• 1. Roles and responsibilities
  • 1.1. Competent veterinary authority
  • 1.2. Administrator
  • 1.3. Compartment auditor
  • 1.4. Network laboratories
  • 1.5. Compartment operator
  • 1.6. Compartment associated facilities operator
• 2. Administration
  • 2.1. Compartment enrollment process
    • 2.1.1 Application
    • 2.1.2 Qualification period
    • 2.1.3 Compartment Operator Program initial on-site audits.
    • 2.1.4 Compartment Operator Program audit reports review
    • 2.1.5 Compartment approval
  • 2.2. Ongoing assessment of an approved compartment
    • 2.2.1. Annual compartment summary report
    • 2.2.2. Annual compartment audit
    • 2.2.3. Approval
  • 2.3. Suspension/revocation/withdrawal
    • 2.3.1. Suspension
    • 2.3.2. Reinstatement of a suspended compartment
    • 2.3.3. Revocation
    • 2.3.4. Re-enrollment following revocation
    • 2.3.5. Voluntary withdrawal
  • 2.4. Appeals
    • 2.4.1. Eligibility for appeal
    • 2.4.2. Appeal process
    • 2.4.3. Appeal committee composition
  • 2.5. Reporting

Introduction

The national requirements that set the foundations for Canada's National Compartmentalization Program (NCP) for African swine fever (ASF) are detailed across 2 documents:

1. The national standards
   Details requirements that the farm-level ASF compartment program must meet. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will assess all submitted farm-level / establishment ASF compartment programs against these requirements.
2. The framework
   The framework document details all of the requirements for the administration and implementation of an ASF compartment program. Examples of requirements found in the framework document include (but are not limited to):
   • roles and responsibilities of the various parties involved in an ASF compartment program
   • procedural administrative requirements related to appeal, suspension, revocation
   • compliance verification requirements such as credentials of third parties involved in the program, frequencies and nature of audits as well as required documentation
   • procedural steps and timelines for applications

The requirements outlined in both the national standards and framework must be met by all associated parties in order for CFIA to recognize and endorse an ASF compartment program.

The national standards and framework requirements will be reviewed at a minimum annually, or sooner as required based on new scientific information, international guidelines, or by the consensus of a review panel.

• A review panel will include representatives from the CFIA, compartment program administrators and representatives of persons or companies involved in the implementation of an ASF compartment

A third component, the Compartment Operators Program (COP) completes the suite of requirements necessary for the NCP. This component will be mentioned but as it is not one of the foundational elements, it will not be discussed in this consultation. Participation in NCP however, once compartment operators are enrolled in the NCP, their compliance with the national standards, the framework and the COP is mandatory.

1. Roles and responsibilities

1.1 Competent veterinary authority

This role and the associated responsibilities will be assumed by the CFIA in all situations. The competent veterinary authority is ultimately responsible for establishing and overseeing the integrity of the Canadian ASF Compartment Program. The CFIA accomplishes this through performing the following roles:

• officially recognizing the NCP
• negotiating international recognition of the NCP
• submitting a self-declaration of the NCP to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH; founded as Office International des Épizooties (OIE))
• developing national foundational requirements (the standards and the framework) for the NCP
• reviewing and adjusting the national standards and framework on an ongoing basis
• publishing the most current national standards and framework for the NCP
• overseeing the administrator, including approval of administrator procedures and functions
• reviewing and approving the COP and administrator procedures as meeting or exceeding the published national standards and framework
• reviewing and approving any modifications to either the COP or the administrator procedures as meeting or exceeding the published national standards and framework
• jointly reviewing, with the administrator during their initial enrollment documentation review, a compartment operator's surveillance plan and feed plan
• jointly reviewing, with the administrator, modifications to a compartment operator's surveillance and feed plans
• assisting the administrator with developing training material for auditors conducting COP audits and delivering the training
• officially certifying COP auditors recommended by the administrator
• approving or rejecting administrator recommendations for initial compartment approval
• providing advice to the administrator in regard to ongoing approvals of approved compartments as needed
• providing advice to or making a joint decision with the administrator on the handling of critical non-compliances identified in enrolled compartments
• establishing conditions necessitating mandatory suspension or revocation of an enrolled compartment by the administrator
• notifying international trading partners of any changes in compartment status as required by trade agreements
• notifying the administrator when the CFIA becomes aware of an approved compartment meeting the conditions for mandatory suspension or revocation
• publishing and maintaining an official list of approved compartments and approved associated facilities (for example, truck wash facilities, feed mills, artificial insemination (AI) centres and slaughter / processing establishments)
• endorsing export certificates for live pigs or pork products originating from approved compartments during an ASF outbreak
• auditing the administrator annually based upon performance of roles and responsibilities as outlined in their policies and procedures for managing and overseeing the COP
• operating the national and WOAH reference laboratory for ASF, where confirmatory testing of all non-negative samples must occur
• approving network laboratories to screen samples for ASF
• approving laboratory testing and sampling methodology for the surveillance component of the NCP
• designing and implementing a quality assurance program for network laboratories performing ASF testing; and
• assessing the equivalency of foreign ASF compartment programs

1.2 Administrator

This role and the associated responsibilities are assumed by the Canadian Pork Council (CPC). The administrator is responsible for overseeing the implementation of and participation in the NCP, including the following:

• developing and maintaining a COP that meets the national standards and framework, including procedures for application and approval
• submitting the developed COP to the CFIA to verify that it meets the national standards and framework
• developing and maintaining a management manual, containing policies and procedures for managing and overseeing the COP
• developing and providing access to an application document for entry into the COP, which is signed by the compartment operator. This agreement must include a statement protecting the CFIA from any liability arising from the COP
• developing and providing access to templates for agreements between the compartment operator and a compartment associated facility (for example, truck wash facilities, feed mills, AI centres, slaughter and processing establishments)
• developing and providing access to any forms required for the COP, including but not limited to compartment modification and annual summary report forms
• verifying that compartment operator and associated facilities applications to the COP contain all necessary documentation
• notifying the CFIA of a compartment operator and associated facilities applications
• reviewing the compartment operator and associated facilities management operating system manual to ensure compliance with the COP requirements as part of the initial enrollment process. This includes a joint review, with the CFIA, of a compartment operator's surveillance plan and feed plan
• reviewing compartment operator and any compartment associated facilities audit reports and ensuring all corrective action requests (CARs) are closed prior to recommending to CFIA that a compartment operator and any associated facilities be approved for the NCP
• making recommendations to the CFIA for a compartment operator and associated facilities approval into the NCP
• reviewing all of the compartment operator's annual summary reports and annual COP audit reports
• reviewing annual audit reports of any and all compartment associated facilities
• reviewing and approving modifications to the information that was provided by a compartment during the enrollment application, including a joint review with the CFIA of changes made to a compartment operator's surveillance plan and feed plan
• reviewing and approving modifications to the information that was provided by a compartment associated facility during the enrollment application
• reviewing new versions of the national standards or the framework as they are published and modifying the COP and administrator management manual as required to reflect changes in these foundational requirements
• submitting the COP to the CFIA for review and approval when any modifications are made
• informing all enrolled compartments and associated facilities of any updates regarding the COP
• communicating changes to compartment status to the CFIA, compartment auditors, operators and associated facilities
• ensuring that the ongoing required COP audit frequency is respected by enrolled compartments and associated facilities
• handling of CARs identified as part of ongoing approval Compartment Operator Program audits (including at compartment associated facilities) in conjunction with the auditor as needed
• suspending and revoking a compartment or compartment associated facilities in accordance with mandatory suspension and revocation conditions as prescribed in the COP or national standards
• immediately notifying the CFIA upon suspension or revocation of any specific compartment or compartment associated facility from the program
• investigating and implementing suspension and revocation recommendations received from the CFIA
• developing competency and skill requirements and developing and delivering (jointly with CFIA) appropriate training for auditors completing COP audits of compartments and associated facilities
• recommending the certification of specific auditors for the COP (compartment and associated facilities) to the CFIA
• hiring and recognizing auditors who are approved to conduct audits for the COP (compartment and associated facilities)
• developing and maintaining a COP audit checklist to be used by compartment auditors
• developing and implementing an appeal process
• administering an appeals committee; and
• communicating any suspicion of ASF, including but not limited to non-negative ASF diagnostic test results, to the CFIA

1.3 Compartment auditor

This role and the associated responsibilities is assumed by auditors who have been trained and hired by the administrator, and certified by the CFIA. COP audits must be completed with a minimum of 2 auditors per compartment. A COP auditor is responsible for verifying an operator's compliance with the COP, including the following:

• ensuring the operator has accumulated the appropriate records to meet pre-approval qualification period requirements
• performing a COP audit to verify an operator's compliance with their compartment operating manual prior to submitting an application. This includes both a documentation audit and an on-site audit
• performing audits of a compartment associated truck wash facility for initial approval and submitting audit reports to the administrator
• performing audits of a compartment associated feed mill (if not audited as part of the Animal Nutrition Association of Canada program) for initial approval and submitting audit reports to the administrator
• performing audits of the AI centre that will be supplying semen to the compartment, if boar semen from outside the compartment is utilized, for initial approval and submitting audit reports to the administrator
• performing audits of the compartment associated slaughter / processing establishments for initial approval and submitting audit reports to the administrator
• identifying non-compliances with the COP from their compartment operating manual (for all premises including associated facilities, for example, truck wash facilities, feed mills, AI centres and slaughter / processing establishments) during the audits prior to approval
• working with the administrator to handle non-compliances and associated CARs noted on the audits performed before approval of the operators of compartments
• working with the administrator to handle non-compliances and associated CARs noted on the audits performed before approval of the operators of compartment associated facilities
• completing Audit Reports for initial approval and submitting the reports to the administrator
• performing annual COP audits of approved compartments as well as any associated facilities. This includes a full audit of every premise within each compartment and all associated facility's premises each year (may be done at a separate time than the associated compartment(s))
• identifying non-compliances with the COP from the compartment operating manual (for all premises including associated facilities, for example, truck wash facilities, feed mills, AI centres and slaughter / processing establishments) during the annual audits
• working with the administrator to handle non-compliances and associated CARs noted on the annual audits of compartment operators and operators of compartment associated facilities
• completing annual audit reports and submitting the reports to the administrator for ongoing approval; and
• fulfilling and maintaining training, competency and skill requirements as stipulated by the administrator

1.4 Network laboratories

Laboratories must be approved and recognized by the CFIA as part of the Canadian Animal Health Surveillance Network (CAHSN) and approved to perform ASF testing for surveillance purposes. Approved network laboratories providing diagnostic testing services for the NCP are responsible for the following:

• adhering to all standard national operating procedures as outlined in the National ASF operating policyand procedures for CAHSN laboratories
• receiving, preparing and testing samples in accordance with standard diagnostic methodologies as specified by the CFIA's National and WOAH Reference Laboratory for ASF
• participating in the Inter-Laboratory Quality Assurance Program under the direction of the CFIA's National and WOAH Reference Laboratory for ASF, as described in the National ASF operating policy and procedures for CAHSN laboratories
• reporting of non-negative test results to CFIA's National and WOAH Reference Laboratory for ASF (in Winnipeg) as outlined by the CFIA
• arranging transfer of non-negative samples to the CFIA's National and WOAH Reference Laboratory for ASF (in Winnipeg) for confirmatory testing
• reporting negative test results to the submitter
• assessing whether a sample is adequate to permit testing for ASF and notifying the submitter of samples that are unsuitable for testing
• providing the required sample submission forms
• disposing of samples in their possession in accordance with the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory Containment Standardand with all environmental regulations in force in the province or territory; and
• tracking ASF samples submitted to meet compartment surveillance requirements separate from those submitted through the national surveillance system (CanSpotASF) and providing annual reports on the submissions for both

1.5 Compartment operator

In the NCP, a compartment owner is an individual, partnership, company, corporation or other legal entity that has legal or rightful title to a swine production business enrolled as an ASF compartment, regardless of any lien(s) held on the business. A compartment operator is a designated individual, partnership, company, corporation or other entity responsible for the management and operation of a compartment; the compartment operator may or may not be the compartment owner. Compartment operators are responsible for:

• submitting an application to the COP, along with all associated documentation, to the administrator
• setting up agreements with truck wash facilities, feed mills, AI centres and slaughter / processing establishments associated with the specific compartment as necessary;
• developing, implementing and maintaining a compartment management and operating system manual that describes all relevant components and procedures pertaining to the compartment premises required by the COP
• submitting ongoing documentation required by the administrator, such as the annual report
• participating in COP audits for initial compartment approval, annually and whenever required otherwise by the administrator
• responding to all CARs within the time frame assigned by the auditor or administrator
• agreeing to having their name, location and compartment status published on a public website by the CFIA or the administrator (company name and city and province of head office if a compartment with widely distributed premises); and
• requesting independent facilities associated with the compartment such as truck wash facilities, feed mills, AI centres, slaughter and processing establishments, to develop a management and compartment system operating manual that meets all the requirements associated with the compartment as per the COP and in accordance with the established agreement between that facility and the compartment operator and that the facilities implement and comply with all measures described in their manual

1.6 Compartment associated facilities operator

In the NCP, the owner of a facility associated with a compartment is an individual, partnership, company, corporation or other legal entity that has legal or rightful title to a business that is required by a compartment owner / operator in order to carry out all of the necessary management and biosecurity functions associated with being an ASF compartment. An operator of such a compartment associated facility is a designated individual, partnership, company, corporation or other entity responsible for the operation of a facility required by a compartment such as a feed mill, a truck wash facility, an AI centre, an abattoir or a processing plant; the operator of the compartment associated facilities may or may not be the owner of the compartment associated facilities. A compartment associated facility may be associated with one or more compartments owned and operated by different individuals or companies. Compartment associated facilities not owned by the compartment will require their own separate approval status based on the documents they submit during the application process and the outcome of the audits (document and on-site) performed by the compartment administrator and the certified auditors for the compartment. Operators of a compartment associated facilities are responsible for:

• submitting an application to enroll in the COP, accompanied by all associated documentation, to the administrator either on its own or as part of an application of a perspective compartment operator
• signing agreements with specific compartments to provide necessary services to the compartment(s) in accordance with the COP
• developing, implementing and maintaining a compartment operating manual that describes all relevant components and procedures associated with the operation of an associated facility as part of a compartment as required by the COP and in accordance with the established agreement between the facility and any compartment owner / operator
• implementing and complying with all relevant COP requirements
• submitting ongoing documentation as required by the administrator as per the COP and in accordance with the established agreement between the facility and the compartment operator(s) with which they have a signed agreement
• participating in facility audits as per the COP
• responding to all CARs within the time frame assigned by the auditor or administrator
• reporting any modifications to the compartment associated facility structure or management and operational system manual from those submitted with their initial application to the administrator and mentioned in the established agreement with a compartment, in accordance with the established agreement between that facility and the compartment operator
• obtaining and maintaining records required by the COP and in accordance with the established agreement between that facility and a compartment operator, compiling an annual compartment summary report and submitting it to the administrator
• agreeing, with reasonable notice, to make the associated facilities and records available so that the administrator and/or the CFIA can inspect them; and
• agreeing to having their name, province and associated compartments and their status published on a public website by the CFIA or the administrator

2. Administration

2.1 Compartment enrollment process

2.1.1 Application

The individual, partnership, company, corporation or other entity wishing to become a compartment must contact the administrator and request an application package.

An application package is completed and submitted back to the administrator. The application must be accompanied by:

• a list of all premises that are to be included in the compartment. The application may include premises under different ownership but all premises are subject to the COP and under common management oversight
• a site plan of all premises to be included in the compartment and compartment associated facilities. The controlled access zone (CAZ) and restricted access zone (RAZ) of each premises must be marked on the site plans
• all unique herd marks assigned by Pig Trace
• a surveillance plan and accompanying analysis which demonstrates that the plan meets the outcome parameters listed in the national standards
• a feed plan which includes a risk assessment for all bulk ingredients identifying risk entry pathways for the ASF virus and risk mitigation steps which result in the feed supply to the compartment posing a low, very low or negligible risk for the ASF virus introduction and establishment
• the compartment applicant's compartment management and operating system manual. The compartment operating manual describes all relevant procedures implemented by the compartment to fulfill the requirements of the COP
• If associated facilities are not owned by the compartment, signed agreements with any associated facilities such as truck wash facilities, feed mills, AI centres or slaughter / processing establishments that are going to be associated and used by the compartment in raising, transporting, slaughtering and processing the compartment pigs stating that the associated facilities agree to be part of the program and adhere to the necessary requirements
• copies of the management and system operating manual of all compartment associated facilities under agreement which describe all relevant procedures implemented by the facilities to fulfill the requirements of the COP and the records that will be kept associated with those procedures

The administrator performs an initial application review to confirm that all necessary documentation has been submitted by the applicant. If the initial application review is found sufficient by the administrator, a documentation review is undertaken. During this review, all of the applicant's documentation is assessed to verify that it is compliant with the national standards and the COP requirements as follows:

• the surveillance plan and feed plan components are reviewed jointly by both the administrator and the CFIA; and
• all other components of the compartment application are reviewed by the administrator

2.1.2 Qualification period

A qualification period must be observed by the compartment applicant prior to starting the COP initial audit. The requirements of this qualification period differ based on the ASF status of the zone in which the compartment applicant`s premises reside.

2.1.2.1 Qualification period for compartment applicants in an ASF-free zone

Prior to the initial on-site audit, all components of the applying compartment and associated facilities' management and system operating manuals must be implemented and documented. At least 3 months of records demonstrating adherence to the compartment and associated facilities' management and system operating manual are required. The only exception is records pertaining to surveillance, for which the accumulation of sufficient data to demonstrate ASF freedom, as per the applicant's surveillance plan component, is adequate. Qualification period records can be accumulated prior to application submission and up to the start of the COP initial audit.

2.1.2.2 Qualification period for compartment applicants in a non ASF-free zone

During the qualification period, all components of the applying compartment and associated facilities' management and system operating manuals must be implemented and documented. At least 3 months of records demonstrating adherence to the compartment and associated facilities' management and system operating manuals are required. The only exception is records pertaining to surveillance, for which the accumulation of sufficient data to demonstrate ASF freedom, as per the applicant's surveillance plan component, is adequate. Qualification period records cannot be accumulated prior to application submission, and must only begin once the application has been found acceptable. Qualification period records must be complete prior to the start of the Compartment Operator Program initial on-site audit.

2.1.3 Compartment Operator Program initial on-site audits

An initial on-site audit of the compartment applicant premises must occur to verify that the COP requirements have been implemented adequately by the compartment applicant according to their approved compartment management and system operating manual. If the compartment applicant is using an associated facility owned by the compartment then the audit of the associated facility can occur in conjunction with the compartment applicant premises and facilities audit. This audit takes place after a compartment`s initial application and documentation review have been deemed satisfactory and all qualification period requirements have been met. COP initial on-site audits are carried out by auditors who have been approved by the administrator and certified by the CFIA to conduct COP audits for the NCP.

An on-site audit of all external compartment associated facilities must occur to verify that the COP requirements have been implemented adequately by any facility under agreement with the compartment operator.

Deviations from the applicant's compartment operating manual will result in the issuance of a corrective action request (CAR). CARs will be issued and handled by the attending auditor team, with or without the involvement of the administrator depending on the severity of the deviation. The compartment operator or compartment associated facility operator is responsible for implementing measures to resolve any CARs within the timeframe prescribed by the auditor team or administrator. All CARs must be closed on all premises / facilities prior to the administrator recommending to the CFIA to approve the applicant's enrollment to the compartment.

2.1.4 Compartment Operator Program audit reports review

The report generated by the auditor attending the initial on-site audits of the compartment and associated facilities are reviewed by the administrator. If a compartment associated facility which has already been approved by the administrator and is in good standing is identified by the compartment applicant, there is no need for an additional facility audit and report review. If the findings of the audits are found to be satisfactory by the administrator, and there are no outstanding CARs, the administrator makes a recommendation to the CFIA for approval of the compartment.

2.1.5 Compartment approval

Administrator recommendations for compartment enrollment are reviewed by the CFIA. The CFIA makes the final decision to approve or reject enrollment of a compartment. A list of all approved and enrolled compartments will be made publicly available on the CFIA's website.

2.2 Ongoing assessment of an approved compartment

2.2.1 Annual compartment summary report

An operator of an enrolled compartment must submit an annual compartment summary report to the administrator. The report must provide information on the compartment's surveillance activities, live animal or germplasm movements into the compartment, modifications to biosecurity procedures in the compartment operating manual or any of the associated facilities operating manuals, and any other information as outlined in the Compartment Operator Program.

2.2.2. Annual compartment audit

A full audit of all approved compartment premises and all compartment associated facilities is required annually. A full audit includes both a documentation audit and an on-site audit. Significant deviations from the approved compartment operating manual or the compartment associated facility operating manual, which documents compliance with the COP, will result in the issuance of a CAR. CARs issued as part of an annual compartment audit are handled by the attending auditor, with or without involvement of the administrator depending on the severity of the deviation. The operators of the compartment and the compartment associated facilities are responsible for implementing measures to resolve any CARs within the timeframe prescribed by the auditor team or administrator. All CARs must be closed for consideration of ongoing approval of the enrolled compartment and / or compartment associated facilities.

2.2.3 Approval

The administrator reviews the annual compartment summary report, the annual compartment audit report, and the annual compartment associated facility audit report. If the administrator is satisfied with the review, and all CARs have been closed within the prescribed timeline, the compartment's approved status in the NCP is maintained.

2.3 Suspension/revocation/withdrawal

2.3.1 Suspension

Suspension means the temporary removal of an approved compartment from the NCP. A compartment is suspended from the NCP when:

• conditions dictating mandatory suspension as outlined in the national standards are met; and/or
• conditions dictating mandatory suspension as outlined in the COP are met; and/or
• 2 premises with different premise identifiers have been removed from the same compartment for reasons of non-compliance
  • suspension for this reason triggers a complete review of the compartment

The administrator is responsible for suspending a compartment found to meet the above conditions. However, the CFIA can also notify the administrator should the CFIA become aware of a compartment premises or a compartment associated facility suspected or confirmed to meet the above criteria. The administrator must investigate and respond to all notifications issued by the CFIA.

When an enrolled compartment is suspended by the administrator, the compartment is no longer considered part of the NCP until such a time the suspension is lifted. The administrator informs the CFIA when a compartment has been suspended, and the CFIA takes the necessary actions in accordance with bilateral trade agreements with international trading partners, and updates the publicly available list of enrolled compartments accordingly.

If compartment associated facilities are to be associated with more than one compartment, they must have their own approval status. If the suspension of the compartment includes non compliant measures at a compartment associated facility then the compartment associated facility will have its approval suspended as well. This suspension will have ramifications for any other compartment using that associated facility. If the suspension of the compartment does NOT include any non compliances at a compartment associated facility then the associated facilities will maintain their approved status. This allows them to continue to operate as part of another compartment with which they have an established agreement.

2.3.2 Reinstatement of a suspended compartment

The administrator is responsible for handling all compartment and compartment associated facility suspensions and outlining the procedures for reinstatement of a suspended compartment. The suspended compartment premises and all compartment associated facilities must continue to observe all requirements of the COP during the suspension period to be eligible for reinstatement. When the administrator reinstates a suspended compartment or compartment associated facility to the NCP, the administrator must notify the CFIA. The CFIA will reinstate certification of the compartment and/or the compartment associated facility, notify trading partners of the compartment's reinstatement if the CFIA notified the country of the suspension in accordance with bilateral trade agreements, and update the publicly available list of enrolled compartments accordingly.

If the suspended compartment or compartment associated facility is unable to comply with the administrator's requirements for reinstatement after reasonable process, the administrator will revoke the compartment's enrollment.

2.3.3 Revocation

Revocation means the removal of a previously approved compartment from the NCP. A compartment will be revoked from the NCP when:

• conditions dictating mandatory revocation as outlined in the national standards are met; and/or
• conditions dictating mandatory revocation as outlined in the COP are met

The administrator is responsible for revoking a compartment's enrollment when the compartment is found to meet the above conditions. However, the CFIA can also notify the administrator should the CFIA become aware of a compartment suspected or confirmed to meet the above criteria. The administrator must investigate and respond to all notifications issued by the CFIA.

When a compartment's enrollment is revoked by the administrator, the compartment is no longer a part of the NCP. The administrator informs the CFIA when a compartment's enrollment has been revoked, and the CFIA ceases certification of the compartment, notifies trading partners, and updates the publicly available list of enrolled compartments accordingly.

If compartment associated facilities are associated with more than one compartment, they must have their own approval status. If a compartment associated facility has their compartment status revoked, this will have ramifications for any other compartment using that associated facility. If the revocation of the compartment does include any non compliant actions by the compartment associated facility then the associated facilities will maintain their approved status. This allows them to continue to operate as part of another compartment with which they have an established agreement.

2.3.4 Re-enrollment following revocation

Re-enrollment following the revocation of a compartment or compartment associated facility from the NCP may be considered at the discretion of the administrator. A compartment or compartment associated facility whose enrollment has been revoked must re-apply to become part of the NCP, and meet all requirements as outlined in the compartment enrollment process.

2.3.5 Voluntary withdrawal

An operator of a compartment or a compartment associated facility who wants to voluntarily withdraw from the NCP must notify the administrator of the withdrawal. The administrator must subsequently notify the CFIA of the voluntary withdrawal of any approved compartment or compartment associated facility.

2.4 Appeals

2.4.1 Eligibility for appeal

A compartment operator may appeal the administrator's decision to suspend or revoke enrollment of a compartment or a compartment associated facility, but not both suspension and revocation. An operator of a compartment or compartment associated facility may also appeal a decision made by the administrator regarding conditions imposed before the compartment or compartment associated facility is permitted to be reinstated or to re-apply to the NCP after a suspension or revocation. An appeal of the administrator's decision is not available if the revocation of the compartment or compartment associated facility status is due to confirmation by the CFIA of the presence of the ASF virus.

2.4.2 Appeal process

The administrator must design an appeal process. At the request of the operator of a compartment or compartment associated facility, the administrator will implement the appeal process to consider any submitted appeals. The appeal committee will provide the CFIA with a recommendation as to whether the appeal should be accepted. The CFIA will make the final decision as to whether the appeal will be accepted.

2.4.3 Appeal committee composition

The administrator will manage and appoint members to the appeals committee. The appeals committee membership will achieve adequate representation, and will include:

• an issue specific subject matter expert
• CFIA representatives
• administrator representatives; and
• compartment operator representatives (from any compartment in Canada whether ASF or for other disease)

2.5 Reporting

Information sharing requires that all compartment information relevant to ASF or the animal population of the compartment be available to the compartment operator, the administrator, and the CFIA. The CFIA will maintain a publicly available list of all approved compartments and compartment associated facilities on the CFIA's website. The compartment operator and compartment associated facility operators must agree to allow publication of current information pertaining to their compartment, as per the administrator's procedures, under the NCP at all times.