Fact sheets: Feeds Regulations 2021

Hazard identification and analysis

Under the Feeds Regulations, 2021, most feed establishments will be required to identify the biological, chemical and physical hazards associated with their feed related activities, and analyze these hazards to determine if they present a risk of contamination. This is a new regulatory requirement.

Hazard identification and analysis must be completed by anyone who conducts a feed related activity such as:

• manufacturing
• storing
• packaging
• labelling
• selling
• importing
• exporting

The CFIA's definition of feed establishments include the following:

• feed ingredient manufacturers and suppliers
• mixed feed manufacturers and suppliers (for example, commercial feed mill, specialty feed manufacturer, etc.)
• rendering facilities manufacturing livestock feed
• feed retail outlets
• livestock producers (on-farm feed mills)
• feed importers
• feed exporters

The regulations do not apply for feeds made on-farm by livestock producers as long as the feed is not sold off the farm and is not medicated.

Hazards

A hazard is a biological, chemical or physical agent in feed, that, when not controlled, has the potential to cause an adverse effect on animal health, human health or the environment.

Types of hazards

Biological hazards

Biological hazards include microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, and prions. Some microorganisms can cause illnesses and other microorganisms can produce harmful toxins.

Examples of sources of biological hazards include:

• incoming ingredients, including raw materials
• cross-contamination during processing, storage, and transportation
• employees
• feed contact surfaces
• insects and rodents

Chemical hazards

Chemical hazards can include contaminants (metals and elements, radionuclides, processing aids, dioxins) as well as veterinary drug and pesticide residues, and natural toxins. Some chemical hazards occur naturally while others are intentionally or unintentionally added during manufacturing and processing.

Examples of chemical hazards include:

• chemicals intentionally used in feed manufacturing such as processing aids, feed additives, medicating ingredients
• chemicals that are by-products of processing
• chemical contamination from equipment
• industrial chemicals such as cleaning agents and disinfection agents
• naturally occurring toxins such as mycotoxins, histamines, marine biotoxins
• agricultural chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers
• nutrients such as over-addition of vitamins or minerals

Physical hazards

Physical hazards in feed include many types of extraneous material that may be introduced anywhere along the production chain, from primary production up to and including the farm (livestock producers). Extraneous materials can be introduced by anything or anyone coming in contact with feed, including during processing, transportation or storage. Extraneous materials are considered to be hazards if they result in risk of harm to the animal who consumes the feed or there is a risk of contamination of the food of animal origin (eggs, dairy products and by-products, and meat) consumed by humans.

Examples of physical hazards include:

• stones, rocks and dirt
• metal (commonly associated with processing activities such as grinding or cutting operations, as well as packaging materials or containers)
• glass, plastic or other contaminants from packaging materials or containers, or from the processing environment
• wood splinters from broken pallets or packaging material
• flaking paint from overhead structures or equipment

Hazard identification and analysis

Feed establishments conduct hazard identification and analysis to identify the specific biological, chemical and physical hazards associated with both the materials used, and the processes employed at the feed establishment.

Hazard identification and analysis takes into account the effect of any factor relating to the safety of the feed, such as:

• formulation of the feed
• ingredients of the feed, including raw materials
• concentration of any inherent contaminant in the feed
• manufacturing, processing, packaging and labelling procedures of the feed
• storage and distribution of the feed
• transportation practices
• intended purpose of the feed
• condition, function, design and sanitation of the facility and equipment
• employee hygiene
• weather conditions

In the hazard identification step, hazards from all inputs and processing steps are listed, described, and classified. Then, in the hazard analysis step, hazards are evaluated according to their significance.

Once the hazard identification and analysis is completed, control measures are applied to prevent, eliminate or reduce each hazard identified to an acceptable level. Feed establishments must demonstrate that their control measures are effective.

In addition, critical control points (CCPs), critical limits, monitoring procedures, corrective actions procedures, and verification procedures must be established in relation to each significant hazard.

Benefits of hazard analysis

Identifying and analyzing hazards is the first step in a preventive control approach. This allows feed establishments to be proactive in managing hazards. Proactive control of hazards helps to protect feed and food safety and can be more cost effective than a feed safety investigation.

Preventive feed safety controls

Under the Feeds Regulations, 2021, most feed establishments will be required to conduct a hazard analysis, put in place preventive controls and a preventive control plan (PCP). This is a new regulatory requirement.

PCPs must be prepared, kept, maintained, and implemented by anyone who conducts a feed related activity such as:

• manufacturing
• storing
• packaging
• labelling
• selling
• importing
• exporting

The CFIA's definition of feed establishments include the following:

• feed ingredient manufacturers and suppliers
• mixed feed manufacturers and suppliers (for example, commercial feed mill, specialty feed manufacturer, etc.)
• rendering facilities manufacturing livestock feed
• feed retail outlets
• livestock producers (on-farm feed mills)
• feed importers
• feed exporters

These regulations do not apply for feeds made on-farm by livestock producers as long as the feed is not sold off the farm, is not medicated and does not contain any substance that presents a risk of harm.

Preventive controls

Preventive controls are a regulatory requirement designed to prevent potential risks to feed and food animals. Preventive controls provide a science-based, objective and auditable system, supporting manufacture, distribution and trade of livestock feed and feed ingredients. Preventive controls are based on the principles described in the Codex Code of Practice on Good Animal Feeding (CAC/RCP 54-2004).

Preventive controls must address the hazards and risks in the following areas:

• product and process controls (for example, manufacturing controls, treatment processes)
• sanitation, biosecurity, pest control and chemicals
• employee hygiene, and training
• equipment design and maintenance
• physical structure, surroundings and maintenance of the feed establishment
• receiving, storage, and transportation of feed
• traceability, investigations, recalls, and complaints

Preventive control plan

A preventive control plan (PCP) is a written document that describes how a feed establishment's hazards are identified and controlled as well as how other regulatory requirements will be achieved. In addition to the preventive control elements described above, a PCP shall include:

• outcomes from the feed establishment's hazard identification and analysis
• control measures implemented and verified to be effective, including critical control points if applicable, to address the hazards identified in the analysis
• preventive controls implemented by the feed establishment to meet other regulatory requirements such as general and safety standards, labelling, investigations, recalls, complaints, import and export provisions, record-keeping and traceability

Determining the items to be addressed in the PCP will depend on the feed-related activities conducted by the feed establishment. For example, the PCP developed and implemented by a retail outlet would contain less detail when compared to a PCP developed and implemented by a commercial feed mill. A PCP developed and implemented for a feed destined for export would need to consider the requirements of the importing country.

Benefits of preventive control plans

Industry is responsible for manufacturing, selling, exporting and importing safe feed. A PCP contributes to the production of safe and compliant feed by allowing feed establishments to identify and correct issues early in the production process.

PCPs are recognized internationally as the best way for regulated parties to demonstrate that hazards and risks are controlled or eliminated, through the use of a systems-based examination of their operations. PCPs address feed safety and other requirements such as animal, human, and environmental risks and labelling.

In addition, PCPs help to maintain market access with countries that require similar feed safety measures and mandatory control systems.

Licencing

The Feeds Regulations, 2021 will impact a variety of stakeholders, including commercial feed mills, mixed feed manufacturers and suppliers, single ingredient feed manufacturers and suppliers, retail outlets, rendering plants that manufacture feed, livestock producers (on-farm feed mills), feed importers and feed exporters

Under the Feeds Regulations, 2021, many feed establishments will need a licence based on the feed-related activities they conduct. This is a new regulatory requirement.

A licence will be required if a feed is to be sent or conveyed across provincial boundaries, is to be exported or is imported for sale. Licences are not required if feed is being made and sold within the same province. Product registration (for mixed feeds) or approval (for ingredients) is a separate requirement. If a feed is registered, a licence would not be required.

CFIA's definition of feed establishments include the following:

• feed ingredient manufacturers and suppliers
• mixed feed manufacturers and suppliers (for example, commercial feed mill, specialty feed manufacturer, etc.)
• rendering facilities manufacturing livestock feed
• feed retail outlets
• livestock producers (on-farm feed mills)
• feed importers
• feed exporters

The new Regulations, including the licencing requirements, do not apply for feeds made on-farm by livestock producers as long as the feed is not sold off the farm and is not medicated. If a feed is being imported by a livestock producer, they should refer to the feed importers fact sheet for additional information.

If a livestock producer has a farm that is located in more than one province they will not require a licence to convey feeds to their own animals. If a livestock producer is making feeds intended for sale or export, the regulatory requirements associated with commercial feed mills would apply. Please refer to the commercial feed mill fact sheet and on-farm feed mill fact sheet for additional information.

In all other cases, whether a licence is required or not, the regulatory requirements outlined in the Feeds Regulations, 2021 would still apply. Feeds must still be manufactured under preventive control plans, be safe and effective for their intended purpose, and be properly labelled.

Interprovincial trade and export

You will need a licence if a feed that you manufacture, store, process, package, label or sell will be exported or sent across provincial borders. Note that processing includes further mixing the feed with another feed, or changing its form.

This applies for all types of feeds.

However, a licence is not required under the following circumstances:

• the feed is registered
• the prescribed activities take place in a rendering facility that has a permit under the Health of Animals Regulations, or
• the prescribed activities take place in a grain elevator

Everyone along the supply chain of a feed intended for export or interprovincial trade may require a licence.

For example, if a feed is made in a rendering facility, a licence would not be required for the manufacture or processing of that rendered feed product. However, if the rendered feed product is then sold to a commercial feed mill and re-labelled, the commercial feed mill would need a licence. If that rendered feed product is then sold out of the province, the person responsible for the sale would need a licence.

If that same rendered feed product was used to make a complete feed that was then sold to a livestock producer within the province no licence would be required.

Import

Imported feeds that are not intended for further sale once imported will continue to require product registration and will not require a licence. See the feed importers fact sheet for more information.

The requirement for a licence is based on conducting prescribed activities with feeds that have been imported for sale. If you store, process, package, label or deliver a feed that has been imported for sale you will require a licence.. This applies for all types of feeds.

If a licence is not issued for a feed that is imported for sale, you will have to register the imported feed.

The licence process

CFIA's Feed Program anticipates that the licensing process will be similar to the one implemented by CFIA's Food Program. At the time of application for a licence, the licensee will need to determine which feeds and activities they require a licence for. A business may choose to apply for one licence that covers all of its establishments, activities and types of feed, or multiple licences that would cover unique combinations of establishments, activities and types of feed. Licences will be valid for 2 years and it is anticipated that the licencing fee will be similar to that of a food licence, which currently costs $250 every 2 years.

It is also anticipated that most initial licences will be issued upon request. Routine feed inspections will still be conducted and non-compliances could result in suspension or cancellation of the licence. However, based on the information received in the licence application, an inspection prior to the issuance, renewal, or amendment of a licence may be required depending on the risk of the feed and compliance history.

Although, you may not be required to obtain a licence to conduct your daily activities, you will have the option of getting a licence on a voluntary basis.

Benefits of licencing

Licencing will enhance the oversight of feed being imported, exported, and traded inter-provincially, and will align better with other CFIA regulations (for example, licencing requirements under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations). Licencing requirements will provide the CFIA with the type of oversight that foreign countries would like to see when feeds are being imported into their countries. This may result in greater access of Canadian feeds to international markets. In addition, licencing will help to identify feed establishments in Canada, and assist in better identifying feed safety risks. Enforcement actions such as suspending or cancelling a licence could be taken to help control feed safety risks when regulatory requirements are not met. The suspension or cancellation of a licence will only take place if there is a significant non-compliance (that is, serious animal health or food safety concerns) and after following a prescribed process.

Licencing will reduce the number of mixed feeds requiring mandatory product registration. Feed establishments that have been issued a licence, will no longer have to register most imported mixed feeds.

Commercial feed mills

The Feeds Regulations, 2021 will impact a variety of stakeholders, including commercial feed mills, mixed feed manufacturers and suppliers, single ingredient feed manufacturers and suppliers, retail outlets, rendering plants that manufacture feed, livestock producers (on-farm feed mills), feed importers and feed exporters.

Commercial feed mills are businesses that manufacture mixed feeds for sale and distribution in the Canadian marketplace or for export. Commercial feed mills who manufacture single ingredient feeds should also refer to the single ingredient feed manufacturers fact sheet. Commercial feed mills who import or export feeds should also refer to the feed importers and feed exporters fact sheets.

In which cases does this fact sheet apply to you?

• You manufacture mixed feeds for sale
• You store, label, package or sell mixed feeds that you manufacture

New regulatory requirements that apply to you

Hazard analysis and preventive control plans

You must prepare, keep, maintain and implement a written preventive control plan (PCP) which will include:

• the identification and analysis of hazards associated with your feed establishment, equipment used, incoming materials, feeds, manufacturing or other processes. This would include receiving, handling or storage, and measures to prevent cross contamination
• the control measures used to prevent, eliminate or reduce the hazards identified
• preventive controls you implement to meet other regulatory requirements such as general and safety standards, labelling, recalls, complaints, import and export provisions, record-keeping and traceability

This is a new requirement.

Licences

You will require a licence if the feeds you manufacture, store, label or package are sent or conveyed across provincial borders, are to be exported or if you import feed for sale. If your mixed feeds are being sold within the same province, a licence is not required. This is a new requirement.

Traceability and record-keeping

You will be required to keep records of the feeds you manufacture and sell. This includes the mixing sheet and formula for all mixed feeds that you manufacture as well as any copies of customer formulas and veterinary prescriptions. In addition, you will be required to keep records of the incoming ingredients and mixed feeds you use and where they came from, as well as who you ship or sell the feed to. The records must include the name of the feed, the lot number, the date, and contact information. This requirement is similar to the record-keeping requirements for animal foods in the Health of Animals Regulations. This is a new requirement in the Feeds Regulations, 2021.

Product registration

You may need to register feeds depending on the types of feeds you manufacture. You will still be required to register certain types of mixed feeds under Feeds Regulations, 2021. However, the number of mixed feeds requiring mandatory product registration will be reduced. This is an amended requirement.

Product labelling

You will be required to properly label feeds that you offer for sale. This is an amended requirement.

Benefits

The new Feeds Regulations, 2021 will introduce an outcome-based and risk-based approach to feed safety and compliance through modernized regulatory requirements (hazard identification and analysis, preventive control plans, traceability and labelling requirements) and permissions (feed ingredient assessments and approvals, product registration and licences). The benefits that this new regulatory framework will provide are to:

• Safeguard feed and the food production continuum
• Attain the most effective and efficient balance between fair and competitive trade in the market; and
• Minimize regulatory burden

More feeds will be exempted from registration which means you may have a greater number of feeds available to sell. For example, product registration will not be required for a mixed feed containing 2 approved single ingredient feeds, provided it does not have any claims. Improved labelling flexibilities will allow you to provide customers with more useful information on feed labels. Preventive control programs throughout the feed chain will provide your customers with greater confidence in the safety of the feeds they purchase.

Single ingredient feed manufacturers

The Feeds Regulations, 2021 will impact a variety of stakeholders, including commercial feed mills, mixed feed manufacturers and suppliers, single ingredient feed manufacturers and suppliers, retail outlets, rendering plants that manufacture feed, livestock producers (on-farm feed mills), feed importers and feed exporters.

Single ingredient feed manufacturers are businesses that manufacture single ingredient feeds for sale and distribution in the Canadian marketplace or for export. Single ingredient feeds may be manufactured in Canada or may be imported. They can be fed directly to livestock or further used to manufacture mixed feeds. Single Ingredient Feed Manufacturers who import feed or export feed, should also refer to the feed importers fact sheet or feed exporters fact sheet, respectively.

There is a wide range of single ingredient feeds that are approved for use in livestock feeds in Canada. Some examples include grains, animal protein products, vitamins, minerals, viable microbial strains, flavouring ingredients, recycled food products (for example, bakery waste, snack food waste, potato process residue), by-products of ethanol manufacturing (for example, distillers' grains), and non-nutritive ingredients such as anticaking agents and pellet binders. All approved single ingredient feeds are listed and described in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table (CFIT), which is formerly known as Schedule IV and V, and is one of the documents incorporated by reference.

Single ingredient feed manufacturers who also manufacture mixed feeds should refer to the commercial feed mill fact sheet.

In which cases does this fact sheet apply to you?

• You manufacture, store, label, package or sell single ingredient feeds

New regulatory requirements that apply to you

Hazard analysis and preventive control plans

You must prepare, keep, maintain and implement a written preventive control plan (PCP) which will include:

• the identification and analysis of hazards associated with your feed establishment, equipment used, incoming materials, feeds, manufacturing, or other processes. This would include receiving, handling or storage, and measures to prevent cross contamination
• the control measures used to prevent, eliminate or reduce the hazards identified
• preventive controls you implement to meet other regulatory requirements such as general and safety standards, labelling, recalls, complaints, import and export provisions, record-keeping and traceability

This is a new requirement.

Licences

You will require a licence if the single ingredient feeds you manufacture, store, label or package are sent or conveyed across provincial borders or are to be exported. If your single ingredient feeds are being sold within the same province, a licence is not required. If you are importing a single ingredient feed, please refer to the feed importers fact sheet.

This is a new requirement.

Traceability and record-keeping

You will be required to keep records of the single ingredient feeds you manufacture and sell. This includes any mixing formulas. In addition, you will be required to keep records of the incoming materials you use and where they came from, as well as who you ship or sell the single ingredient feeds to. The records must include the name of the feed, the lot number, the date, and contact information.

This is a new requirement.

Product registration

All approved single ingredient feeds are listed and described in the CFIT. The CFIT is divided into Part I and Part II. A single ingredient feed listed in Part I does not require registration if it meets the definition and description in the CFIT. If the single ingredient feed you manufacture is listed in Part II of the CFIT, you will be required to register it as a new source.

If your single ingredient feed is listed in the CFIT, but does not meet the definition and description, you must have the single ingredient feed approved before it may be manufactured and sold in Canada. This includes any change in the purpose, conditions of use (usage rate, and intended livestock species or class of livestock), composition, manufacturing process, or labelling requirements outlined in the definition and description for that particular single ingredient feed. If a single ingredient feed has a claim on the label that is not set out in the Tables of Permissible Claims for Feed Labels or does not meet the conditions outlined in that Table, this single ingredient feed would require registration.

If your single ingredient feed is not listed in the CFIT, you must have the single ingredient feed approved before it may be manufactured and sold in Canada.

This is not a change from the current requirements.

Product labelling

You will be required to label your single ingredient feed that you offer for sale. Additional labelling requirements may be outlined in the CFIT for a particular single ingredient feed.

This is an amended requirement.

Benefits

The new Feeds Regulations, 2021 will introduce an outcome-based and risk-based approach to feed safety and compliance through modernized regulatory requirements (hazard identification and analysis, preventive control plans, traceability and labelling requirements) and permissions (feed ingredient assessments and approvals, product registration and licences). The benefits that this new regulatory framework will provide are to:

• Safeguard feed and the food production continuum;
• Attain the most effective and efficient balance between fair and competitive trade in the market; and
• Minimize regulatory burden

Modernizing the assessment and approval process for single ingredient feeds will contribute to reduced registration requirements for mixed feeds. In addition, improved labelling flexibilities will allow you to provide customers with more useful information on feed labels. Preventive control programs throughout the feed chain will provide your customers with greater confidence in the safety of the feeds they purchase.

Feed retail outlets

The Feeds Regulations, 2021 will impact a variety of stakeholders, including commercial feed mills, mixed feed manufacturers and suppliers, single ingredient feed manufacturers and suppliers, retail outlets, rendering plants that manufacture feed, livestock producers (on-farm feed mills), feed importers and feed exporters.

Feed retail outlets are businesses that sell feed in the Canadian marketplace. They may sell pre-packaged and labelled feeds or they may re-package and label feeds on site. Feed retail outlets who manufacture mixed feeds would be considered a Commercial Feed Mill and should also refer to the commercial feed mill fact sheet. Feed retail outlets who manufacture single ingredient feeds would be considered a Single Ingredient Feed Manufacturers and should refer to the single ingredient feed manufacturers fact sheet. Feed retail outlets who export feed or import feed, should also refer to the feed exporters fact sheet or feed importers fact sheet, respectively.

In which cases does this fact sheet apply to you?

• You sell feed that you did not manufacture
• You re-package, label, and sell feed that you did not manufacture

New regulatory requirements that apply to you

Hazard analysis and preventive control plans

You must prepare, keep, maintain and implement a written preventive control plan (PCP) which will include:

• the identification and analysis of hazards associated with your feed establishment, equipment used, incoming materials, feeds or your processes. This would include receiving, re-packaging, handling, storage or distribution, and measures to prevent cross contamination
• the control measures used to prevent, eliminate or reduce the hazards identified
• preventive controls you implement to meet other regulatory requirements such as general and safety standards, labelling, recalls, complaints, and record-keeping and traceability

This is a new requirement.

Licences

You will require a licence if the feeds you re-package, label, or sell are sent or conveyed across provincial borders, are to be exported or if you import feeds for sale. This is a new requirement.

Traceability and record-keeping

You will be required to keep records of the feeds you receive and sell. The records for both feeds you receive and those you sell must include the name of the feed, the lot number, and the date. Records for feeds that you receive must indicate from whom they came and for feeds that are sold, to whom they were sold. This requirement is similar to the record-keeping requirements for animal foods in the Health of Animals Regulations. This is a new requirement in the Feeds Regulations, 2021.

Product registration

It is unlikely you will be required to register the feeds you sell. If you are re-packaging and rebranding a registered feed, you may also need to register it under your brand. This is not a change from current requirements.

The manufacturer is usually responsible for product registration, but you should ensure that any feeds you are offering for sale are appropriately registered. You should be aware that some mixed feeds will still require mandatory product registration.. This is an amended requirement.

Product labelling

You will be required to properly label the feed that you offer for sale. Although the manufacturer is usually responsible for labelling their feeds, you should ensure that any feeds you are offering for sale are appropriately labelled. If you are re-packaging or relabelling feed you will be responsible for ensuring the feed is properly labelled. This is an amended requirement.

Benefits

The new Feeds Regulations, 2021 will introduce an outcome-based and risk-based approach to feed safety and compliance through modernized regulatory requirements (hazard identification and analysis, preventive control plans, traceability and labelling requirements) and permissions (feed ingredient assessments and approvals, product registration and licences). The benefits that this new regulatory framework will provide are to:

• Safeguard feed and the food production continuum
• Attain the most effective and efficient balance between fair and competitive trade in the market; and
• Minimize regulatory burden

The updates to the regulatory requirements will provide more flexibility to you. More feeds will be exempted from registration which means you may have a greater number of feeds available to sell. Improved labelling flexibilities will allow you to provide customers with more useful information on feed labels. Preventive control programs throughout the feed chain will provide your customers with greater confidence in the safety of the feeds they purchase.

On-farm feed mills

The Feeds Regulations, 2021 will impact a variety of stakeholders, including commercial feed mills, mixed feed manufacturers and suppliers, single ingredient feed manufacturers and suppliers, retail outlets, rendering plants that manufacture feed, livestock producers (on-farm feed mills), feed importers and feed exporters.

On-farm feed mills are livestock producers who manufacture livestock feeds for animals on their farm. The Feeds Act and Regulations do not apply to feeds made on-farm by livestock producers as long as the feed is not sold off the farm, is not medicated and does not contain any substance that presents a risk of harm. This exemption is found in the Feeds Act.

On-farm feed mills that use prohibited material in the manufacturing of their feeds for feeding the livestock on their farm would still be subject to the requirements under the Health of Animals Act and Regulations.

Livestock producers who sell feeds would be considered a Commercial Feed Mill. Please refer to the commercial feed mill fact sheet. Livestock producers who export feeds or import feeds, should also refer to the feed exporters fact sheet or feed importers fact sheet, respectively.

Livestock producers who sell single ingredient feeds would be considered a Single Ingredient Feed Manufacturer. Please refer to the single ingredient feed manufacturer fact sheet.

Livestock producers who sell feeds that they purchased should also refer to the feed retail outlet fact sheet.

In which cases does this fact sheet apply to you?

• You purchase a medicated feed and then use it to further manufacture a feed
• You purchase a non-medicated feed and then you use it to further manufacture a feed that contains a medication (including common medications, such as monensin or amprolium)
• You purchase a medication (with or without a veterinary prescription) and then you use it to further make a medicated feed

If you only purchase a medicated feed, you would not be considered as manufacturing feed on your farm and would be exempt from the Feeds Regulations requirements. As outlined above there is an exemption for feeds manufactured on-farm. The exemption is tied to whether a particular feed meets the criteria, not the farm as a whole. You may make some feeds that are exempt from the Feeds Act and Regulations and other feeds that are not. The requirements outlined below are with respect to feeds that the Feeds Act and Regulations apply to. However, it is recommended that if you make any feeds that are not necessarily subject to the Feeds Act and Regulations, you consider following the same requirements for all feeds that you make. While an on-farm feed mill may be exempt from the Feeds Act and Regulations, it may still be subject to the Health of Animals Act and Regulations.

New regulatory requirements that apply to you

Hazard analysis and preventive control plans

You must prepare, keep, maintain and implement a written preventive control plan (PCP) which will include:

• the identification and analysis of hazards associated with your premises, equipment used, incoming materials, feeds, manufacturing or your processes. This would include receiving, handling or storage, and measures to prevent cross contamination
• the control measures used to prevent, eliminate or reduce the hazards identified
• preventive controls you implement to meet other regulatory requirements such as general and safety standards or record-keeping and traceability

This is a new requirement.

Licences

You are not required to have a licence. Licences are only required for feeds that are to be sent or conveyed across a provincial border or are to be exported. If the feed you are making is being sold across a provincial border or being exported, please refer to the commercial feed mill fact sheet. If your farm is located in more than one province you will not be required to have a licence to move feed within your farm.

Traceability and record-keeping

You will be required to keep records of the medicated feeds you manufacture and any incoming starting materials, mixed feeds or single ingredient feeds used in those feeds. This includes the mixing sheet and formula for all medicated feeds that you manufacture as well as any copies of veterinary prescriptions. In addition, you will be required to keep records of the incoming ingredients you use and where they came from. The records must include the name of the feed, the lot number, the date, and contact information. This is a new requirement.

Product registration

You do not have to register your feeds manufactured on-farm for feeding the livestock on your farm. This is not a change from the current requirements.

Product labelling

You do not have to label feeds manufactured on farm for feeding the livestock on your farm. This is not a change from the requirements under the current Feeds Regulations. Note, there may be labelling requirements for your feed under the Health of Animals Act and Regulations.

Benefits

The new Feeds Regulations, 2021 will introduce an outcome-based and risk-based approach to feed safety and compliance through modernized regulatory requirements (hazard identification and analysis, preventive control plans, traceability and labelling requirements) and permissions (feed ingredient assessments and approvals, product registration and licences). The benefits that this new regulatory framework will provide are to:

• Safeguard feed and the food production continuum
• Attain the most effective and efficient balance between fair and competitive trade in the market
• Minimize regulatory burden

Medicated feeds present a potential risk for livestock and for human health. Adding the wrong level of medication, either too much or too little, can result in an animal health issue or a food safety concern. New requirements for preventive control plans and record keeping will help to prevent these problems before they occur. In addition, these new requirements are in line with on-farm food safety programs that already have preventive control plan principles in place for many aspects of livestock production.

Feed importers

The Feeds Regulations, 2021 will impact a variety of stakeholders, including commercial feed mills, mixed feed manufacturers and suppliers, single ingredient feed manufacturers and suppliers, retail outlets, rendering plants that manufacture feed, livestock producers (on-farm feed mills), feed importers and feed exporters.

Feed importers are businesses that import feed into Canada. The Feeds Regulations, 2021 will apply to those who import, export, manufacture and sell feed. Depending on the scope of their business, a feed importer may be involved in more than one feed-related activity.

All imported feeds must either be registered or must be imported by a licence holder. If the imported feed is registered, the importer may also choose to get a licence The imported feed must meet Canadian standards and labelling requirements. In addition, the importer of a feed must be able to demonstrate that it was manufactured under a preventive control plan.

The Feeds Act sets out the authority for licencing, while the Feeds Regulations, 2021 set out exactly who needs a licence. Imported feeds will fall into 2 categories: feeds that are imported for commercial use, and feeds that are imported for feeding your own livestock.

Feeds that are imported for commercial use:

• The authority for licencing is limited to feeds that have been imported for sale (that is, imported for commercial use). This would include feeds imported to be directly resold, or feeds that will be used to make other feeds that will be sold.
• Given this authority, licences are required for conducting activities (store, process, package, label or deliver) with a feed that has been imported for sale. There is an exception to this for registered feeds, which means that in the case of feeds imported for commercial use, the importer may choose to either register the feed or obtain a licence.

Feeds that are imported for feeding your own livestock:

• Feed that is imported for feeding your own livestock is not subject to the licencing requirements. However, it must be registered before it can be imported. Note that a licence may be issued on a voluntary basis.
• Feed that is imported for research or experimental purposes is not subject to the licencing requirements, but must be approved before it can be imported.

In which cases does this fact sheet apply to you?

• You import feed for commercial use into Canada and you directly sell that feed or you store, process, package, label or deliver the imported feed
• You import a feed for feeding to your own livestock

New regulatory requirements that apply to you

You import feed for commercial use

Hazard analysis and preventive control plans

You must prepare, keep, maintain and implement a written preventive control plan (PCP) for any activities you perform with the imported feed. In addition, you must be able to demonstrate that the imported feed was manufactured, stored, packaged and labelled under conditions which provide the same level of protection as if those activities took place domestically under a preventive control plan. This is a new requirement.

Licences

If the feed you are importing is not registered, you will require a licence. This is a new requirement.

Traceability and record-keeping

You will be required to keep records of the feeds you import for sale, including when and where they came from, as well as who you ship or sell the feed to. The records must include the name of the feed, the lot number, the date, and contact information. This is a new requirement.

Product registration

It will depend on the types of feeds you import into Canada, as you will still be required to register certain types of mixed feeds under Feeds Regulations, 2021. Therefore, it is your responsibility to verify, prior to importation, if the imported feed requires registration.

In addition, you may choose to register a feed in order to import it without a licence.

This is an amended requirement, and will reduce the number of mixed feeds requiring mandatory product registration.

Product labelling

You will need to ensure the feeds you import meet all labelling requirements outlined in the Feeds Regulations, 2021. Feeds that are manufactured outside of Canada and imported into Canada must meet the same labelling requirements as a feed that is produced domestically. You will be responsible for labelling the imported feed properly, in collaboration with the foreign manufacturer.

This is an amended requirement.

You import feed for feeding your own livestock

Hazard analysis and preventive control plans

You must prepare, keep, maintain and implement a written preventive control plan (PCP) for any activities you perform with the imported feed fed to your own livestock. In addition, you must be able to demonstrate that the imported feed was manufactured, stored, packaged and labelled under conditions which provide the same level of protection as if those activities took place domestically under a preventive control plan. This is a new requirement.

Licences

You are not required to have a licence if the feed is imported for feeding to your own livestock. This is not a change from the current requirements.

Traceability and record-keeping

You will be required to keep records of the feeds you import for feeding to your own livestock, including when you received the feed and where it came from. The records must include the name of the feed, the lot number, the date, and contact information. This is a new requirement.

Product registration

Feeds that are not imported by a licence holder must be registered. This is not a change from the current requirements.

You are responsible for verifying if the imported feed requires registration prior to importation.

Product labelling

You will need to ensure the feeds you import meet all labelling requirements outlined in the Feeds Regulations, 2021. Feeds that are manufactured outside of Canada and imported into Canada must meet the same labelling requirements as a feed that is produced domestically.

Benefits

The new Feeds Regulations, 2021 will introduce an outcome-based and risk-based approach to feed safety and compliance through modernized regulatory requirements (hazard identification and analysis, preventive control plans, traceability and labelling requirements) and permissions (feed ingredient assessments and approvals, product registration and licences). The benefits that this new regulatory framework will provide are to:

• Safeguard feed and the food production continuum
• Attain the most effective and efficient balance between fair and competitive trade in the market
• Minimize regulatory burden

As an importer of feed, it is your responsibility to make sure that the feed you import into Canada meets the same regulatory requirements outlined in the Feed Regulations, 2021 as a feed produced within Canada. Ensuring that imported feeds meet the same standards as feeds manufactured domestically helps to protect animal health and contributes to food safety in Canada. Whether imported feeds are registered or imported by a licence holder, the same conditions apply with respect to identifying hazards, putting in place preventive control plans, meeting safety standards, and proper labelling.

Feed being imported into Canada may need to meet other import requirements related to plant health and animal health. These import requirements are in place to prevent the spread of diseases and pests that could be introduced into Canada through the importation of feed. The specific requirements for the importation of commodities regulated by CFIA can be found in the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS).

Feed exporters

The Feeds Regulations, 2021 will impact a variety of stakeholders, including commercial feed mills, mixed feed manufacturers and suppliers, single ingredient feed manufacturers and suppliers, retail outlets, rendering plants that manufacture feed, livestock producers (on-farm feed mills), feed importers and feed exporters.

Feed exporters are businesses that sell single ingredient feeds and mixed feeds outside of Canada. The Feeds Regulations, 2021 apply to those who manufacture, sell, import, export, or conduct interprovincial trade of feed. Depending on the nature of their business, a feed exporter may be involved in more than one of these activities.

Single ingredient feeds and mixed feeds intended for export may not need to meet a number of the requirements in the Feeds Regulations, 2021. For example, feeds intended for export will not require product registration, nor will they need to meet any of the standards or labelling requirements as for domestic feeds. However, feeds intended for export will need to clearly indicate on the label that the feed is for export.

Single ingredient feeds and mixed feeds intended for export will need to meet the requirements of the importing country.

Feed exporters who also manufacture mixed feed should refer to the commercial feed mills fact sheet. Feed exporters who manufacture single ingredient feeds should refer to the single ingredient feed manufacturers fact sheet.

In which cases does this fact sheet apply to you?

• You export feed outside of Canada

New regulatory requirements that apply to you

Hazard analysis and preventive control plans

You must prepare, keep, maintain and implement a written preventive control plan (PCP) which will include:

• the identification and analysis of hazards associated with your feed establishment, equipment used, incoming materials, feeds, manufacturing or other processes. This would include receiving, handling or storage, and measures to prevent cross contamination
• the control measures used to prevent, eliminate or reduce the hazards identified
• preventive controls you implement to meet the regulatory requirements of the importing country

The hazards identified may not be the same as those for a feed intended for the domestic market. In cases where feeds intended for export do not meet Canadian standards, the hazard analysis and PCP should indicate the reason, the reference to the standard being used, and any information that supports that the foreign country requirements have been met. If the foreign country has no requirement for a particular standard, information that sets out the specifications for the standard, as indicated by the person in the foreign country for whom the exported feed is intended, must be included. This is a new requirement.

Licences

You will require a licence if you are involved in the manufacturing, storing, processing, packaging, labelling or selling of a feed intended for export. This is a new requirement.

Traceability and record-keeping

You will be required to keep records of the feeds you export. This includes details of when you exported your feed. In addition, you will be required to keep records of the incoming materials, single ingredient feeds, and mixed feeds you use and where they came from, for your feeds you intend to export. This is a new requirement.

Product registration

You will not need to register feeds that are to be exported. Feeds manufactured for export do not require product registration. This is not a change from the current requirements.

Product labelling

You will be required to label your feed that is to be exported. Feeds manufactured for export will need to be labelled to clearly indicate that they are for export. No other label information is required, and labels should meet the requirements of the importing country. This is not a change from the current requirements.

Benefits

The new Feeds Regulations, 2021 will introduce an outcome-based and risk-based approach to feed safety and compliance through modernized regulatory requirements (hazard identification and analysis, preventive control plans, traceability and labelling requirements) and permissions (feed ingredient assessments and approvals, product registration and licences). The benefits that this new regulatory framework will provide are to:

• Safeguard feed and the food production continuum
• Attain the most effective and efficient balance between fair and competitive trade in the market
• Minimize regulatory burden

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of requests received by CFIA to certify feeds for export. Changes in the Feeds Regulations 2021 will better align with internationally recognized feed regulatory frameworks and may provide you with easier access to international markets.

New regulations for feed intended for export require them to be made under preventive control plans. This may provide additional evidence to foreign countries that CFIA has greater oversight for these feeds. In addition, licences give the CFIA the type of oversight that provides greater ability to negotiate feed import requirements with foreign countries while allowing the exporter to formulate and label the feed for the market it is intended for. These changes provided by the new regulations give CFIA the ability to assure foreign countries that Canadian feeds meet quality and safety standards which maintains Canada's reputation as a supplier of safe and quality feeds.