This section provides guidelines on certification requirements for cattle and bison being imported into Canada or exported from Canada on a temporary basis. A common example of a temporary stay is a livestock show or exhibition.
U.S. cattle and bison imported for a temporary stay in Canada requirements for return to the U.S.
For animals imported from U.S. for temporary stay in Canada, if less than 60 days:
- a copy of the United States Health Certificate including a proof of the date of entry into Canada
- no Canadian tattoo or branding is required; and
- the animals should bear an approved tag or a foreign indicator deemed equivalent to an approved tag under the livestock identification and traceability program TRACE).
After 60 days of residence in Canada they must be treated as Canadian animals unless they obtain an exemption from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA):
- animals will be required to meet the export certification requirements of section 5.2 Cattle and Bison Born on or After March 1, 1999 of this manual, including the requirements for:
- a tattoo or brand (for cattle only). The "USA" tatoo meets this requirement.
- an approved tag or a foreign indicator deemed equivalent to an approved tag under the TRACE program
- certification using certificate HA1941
- all animals imported from the U.S. which have been exhibited at a publicly recognized exposition in Canada are eligible to return to the U.S. within 90 days under special conditions. Refer to section 5.10 for more information
Canadian cattle and bison exported for temporary stay in the U.S.
Canadian animals exported for temporary stay in the U.S. must meet the export certification requirements of section 5.2 of this manual, including the requirements for:
- a tattoo or brand (for cattle only)
- certification using certificate HA1941
- an approved tag or a foreign indicator deemed equivalent to an approved tag under the TRACE program
Requirements for return to Canada
For animals that have been exported to the U.S. for less than 30 days:
- a Canadian Veterinary Health Certificate indicating the date of exportation is required.
For cattle exported from Canada to the U.S. more than 30 days but less than 60 days before the date of re-importation into Canada, the animal must be accompanied by the following documents:
- Canadian import permit
- zoosanitary export certificate of an official veterinarian of the U.S., or a certificate of a veterinarian endorsed by an official veterinarian of the U.S. that shows that the animal proved negative to test for brucellosis within 30 days before the date of importation
- Canadian zoosanitary export certificate of a veterinary inspector, or a certificate of a veterinarian endorsed by a veterinary inspector, that clearly identifies the animal and states that it was exported to the U.S.
The above-mentioned conditions can be found at the following:
Automated Import Reference System (AIRS)
For more details, the importer must contact his or her Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) district veterinarian.
Cattle and bison transiting the U.S. for export to Mexico
Shipments of cattle and bison transiting the U.S. for export to Mexico will require an "in transit" permit from the USDA and the export certificate for the final destination
No tattoo or branding is required. The animal must bear an approved tag or a foreign indicator deemed equivalent to an approved tag under the TRACE program
Loads will be sealed at the farm of origin. Refer to section 6.4 for more information