Notice to industry: Additional flexibility to import requirements for plant based meals destined for use in livestock feed

Effective immediately, Canada is implementing a supplementary questionnaire for the import of plant-based meal products identified in Import Requirements for Plant-based Feed Ingredients Imported for Use in Livestock Feed, originating from those countries listed in Appendix 3 and entering Canada through a declared secondary control zone. The addition of the questionnaire for plant-based meals of concern (without competent authority endorsement) will provide alternatives to stakeholders when importing plant-based meals where the competent authority of the country of origin may be unknown or may not be readily accessible.

In cases where the processing of the plant-based meal has not been verified and endorsed by the competent authority of the country of origin, further processing or other mitigation measures will be required by the importer once the product arrives in Canada. These measures will help ensure the risk of transmission of African Swine Fever (ASF) via contamination of these products has been mitigated.

Please note the following:

• Stakeholders will continue to have the option to complete and submit the pre-existing questionnaire for plant-based meals where the competent authority is available
• There are no changes being suggested to the questionnaire or import controls for unprocessed/raw grains or oilseeds
• Each import permit application must be accompanied by a completed questionnaire and submitted to the CFIA National Centre of Permissions
• A CFIA inspector may go on-site at destination facilities to verify the conditions of import have been met and that the information provided in the questionnaire is accurate

Additional information

For additional information concerning the background for the development of the new import controls, please refer to Import Requirements for Plant-based Feed Ingredients Imported for Use in Livestock Feed.

Related links

• Automated Import Reference System (AIRS)
• Application for permit to import unprocessed/raw grains, oilseeds or plant-based meals (CFIA/ACIA 5861)
• National Import Service Centre
• National Centre of Permissions