Trade implications for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in dairy cattle

The World Organisation of Animal Health (WOAH) does not recommend restrictions on the movement of healthy cattle and their products at this time. For more information, see the WOAH's recommendations on High pathogenicity avian influenza in cattle.

Import controls for live cattle from the U.S.

For the importation of live cattle from the U.S., Canada has current import controls in place to prevent introducing animal diseases in order to help protect its people, animals and plants.

These requirements include import permits, export certification and veterinary inspection of imported cattle.

Additional measures for cattle due to HPAI

Due to the outbreak of HPAI in cattle in the U.S., Canada has implemented additional import controls for cattle. We will continue to closely monitor the evolving situation and consider any additional measures, as necessary.

Lactating dairy cattle

Breeding cattle: As of April 29, 2024, Canada requires testing for HPAI with negative result on imported lactating dairy cattle from the U.S.

Immediate slaughter: As of May 24, 2024, Canada requires an export certificate for lactating dairy cattle imported from the U.S. for immediate slaughter.

Canadian cattle returning from the U.S.

As of August 14, 2024, Canada requires an additional certification for Canadian cattle returning from the U.S. after a stay of less than 60 days.

Export of live cattle

Exported live cattle must not have been resident in a herd with a reportable disease, serious emerging disease or in contact with a herd or any animal with a communicable disease in the past 60 days. This includes HPAI (H5N1) in cattle.

For more information, refer to Exporting terrestrial animals and animal products.

Importing food

All imported food products into Canada must meet Canadian food safety requirements.

These requirements include the need for a licence, preventive control plan, traceability documents and recall procedures.

Importing livestock feed ingredients

All dairy products including milk and milk products that are imported for use as ingredients for livestock feed are regulated.

Only approved feed ingredients may be imported into Canada. Approved feed ingredients are listed in Parts I and II of Schedules IV and V of the Feeds Regulations. There are several approved feed ingredients derived from dairy products, which are further processed through dehydration, pasteurization, etc. prior to being sold as feed ingredients.

More information can be found in the RG-10 Regulatory Guidance: Importing livestock feeds (mixed feeds and single ingredient feeds) into Canada.

Feeding poultry litter to cattle is illegal in Canada.

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