2024-05-01
Due to the outbreak of HPAI (H5N1) in dairy cattle in the USA, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will require an addendum to the export certificate of cattle imported under the import policy Requirements for Breeding Cattle Imported from the United States to Canada.
This will apply to export certificates issued on or after April 29, 2024, and until further notice.
The Addendum to export certificate for breeding Cattle from the United States of America (PDF) must certify that:
- the lactating dairy cows listed above have tested negative by PCR for Influenza A virus at an APHIS-approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory, within 7 days of export, on (insert date)
- the lactating dairy cows that were found positive have completed a 60-day waiting period and have been re-tested with a negative result
- the lactating dairy cows have not been on a premises where HPAI has been detected during the 60 days immediately preceding exportation
The addendum is endorsed by an official veterinarian in the USA.
Lactating dairy cattle are defined as a cow that is producing milk, regardless of the volume of milk that she is producing. This does not include dairy calves, pregnant heifers, or dairy cows that are 'dry' or no longer producing milk.
Samples are taken on milk for analysis.
In addition, practicing good biosecurity is key to helping prevent diseases.
More information on HPAI in cattle is available at Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in livestock.