The Feeds Regulations, 2024 were published in Canada Gazette, part II (CGII) on July 3, 2024, and have replaced the Feeds Regulations, 1983. Some regulatory requirements came into effect on the date the regulations were registered to provide stakeholders flexibility and benefits right away. However, to give time for stakeholders to adjust to the new and amended regulatory requirements, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has chosen both a staggered coming into force over 18 months and a 12-month transitional period for certain requirements.
These regulations apply to:
- single ingredient feed (SIF) manufacturers and suppliers
- mixed feed manufacturers and suppliers (for example, commercial feed mills and specialty feed manufacturers)
- livestock feed retail outlets
- rendering plants that manufacture livestock feeds
- livestock feed importers
- livestock feed exporters
In addition, the regulations apply to on-farm feed manufacturers (on-farm feed mills) that sell their livestock feed off the farm or have incorporated any drug (medicating ingredient) or other substance that presents a risk of harm to human health, animal health or the environment into their livestock feed.
On this page
- Background
- Summary of timelines
- Information sessions
- Documents incorporated by reference
- Quick reference guides
- Guidance documents
- Contact us
- Related information
Background
The Feeds Regulations, 2024 are the result of a comprehensive review of the previous regulatory framework, stakeholder consultation, scientific review of standards, and review of international best practices. The scope of the updated regulations applies to livestock feeds manufactured and sold in Canada as well as to livestock feeds being imported and exported.
The regulatory changes establish a more robust and outcome-based livestock feed framework that includes:
- hazard analysis
- preventive controls
- traceability
- increased record-keeping requirements
- licensing
These changes better align with international regulatory frameworks and best practices. This will allow the CFIA and stakeholders to better understand and manage risks that livestock feeds pose to animal health, human health, and the environment, and support proactive practices for managing those risks.
Summary of timelines
The Feeds Regulations, 2024 were registered on June 17, 2024 and published in the Canada Gazette, part II on July 3, 2024. They have a staggered coming into force over a period of 18 months.
Coming into force immediately:
- removal of mink and foxes as species considered as livestock
- exemptions from the Feeds Act and Feeds Regulations, 2024
- approval and registration requirements
- content of livestock feed
- livestock feed intended for export
- investigation of risk of harm
- record-keeping requirements
- labelling requirements*
- compositional and safety standards*
*Came into effect at the time the regulations were registered (June 17, 2024) and has a 12-month transition period.
Coming into force after 12 months (June 17, 2025)
- hazard analysis, preventive controls and preventive control plans
- complaint procedures
- recall procedures
- packaging requirements
- imported livestock feeds
- traceability requirements
Coming into force after 18 months (December 17, 2025):
- expanded scope of livestock species
- licencing requirements
- export certificates or documents
- import of a non-compliant feed
Regulated parties must be aware of these dates and ensure they are following the correct regulatory requirements. For more information on when specific provisions in the regulations come into effect, refer to the guide to timelines for complying with the Feeds Regulations, 2024.
Information sessions
Livestock feed registration and labelling
English session
When: March 4, 2025, from 11:30 to 13:30 (EDT)
French session
When: March 11, 2025, from 11:30 to 13:30 (EDT)
Livestock feed preventive control plans
English session
When: March 18, 2025, from 12:00 to 13:00 (EDT)
French session
When: March 19, 2025, from 12:00 to 13:00 (EDT)
Documents incorporated by reference
The Feeds Regulations, 2024 include 9 documents incorporated by reference. Incorporation by reference (IBR) is a drafting technique that introduces the content of a document into a regulation without having to reproduce the document's text in the regulation. If a document is incorporated by reference, the incorporated wording has the same effect as if it appeared in the regulations. Refer to documents incorporated by reference for additional information.
Quick reference guides
Quick reference guides are provided to help stakeholders understand the new and updated requirements within the Feeds Regulations, 2024.
- List of livestock feeds requiring approval or registration Feeds Regulations, 2024
- Commercial feed mills
- Feed exporters
- Feed importers
- Feed retail outlets
- On-farm feed mills
- Single ingredient feed manufacturers
- Traceability
Guidance documents
Guidance documents are available to help stakeholders understand the new and updated requirements within the Feeds Regulations, 2024. In addition, the CFIA is working to update existing web pages to reflect the new regulations. Pages that are under development are identified with an information box at the top of the page.
- Guide to timelines for complying with the Feeds Regulations, 2024
- RG-12 Labelling of livestock feeds
- Compositional and safety standards for livestock feeds
- Hazard analysis guidance: General overview
- Preventive control plan guidance: General overview
- Licensing guidance: General overview
- How to request a modification to a document incorporated by reference by the CFIA into the Feeds Regulations, 2024
Contact us
If you have any questions or comments on the Feed Regulatory Modernization, please contact us at: cfia.feedregmodernization-modernisationregalibetails.acia@inspection.gc.ca