Livestock and poultry transport in Canada

Make sure animals are fit for the journey

Regulatory guidance and resource documents are designed to help stakeholders interpret and implement the regulations. They provide clarification and examples on what is required of those involved in the transport of animals.

Available in the following languages:

Responsibilities

The requirements for the transport of all animals into, within and out of Canada are found in Part XII of the Health of Animals Regulations.

All those involved in transporting animals either directly or indirectly have the responsibility to assess animals for fitness, then select, prepare and load only animals that are fit for the intended journey.

If you are responsible for activities related to the loading, unloading or transporting of animals, you must be familiar with – and follow – Canada's transport of animals regulations.

Enforcement actions are proportional to the animal welfare situation and the seriousness of the non-compliance and can include notices (verbal or written) and penalties (monetary or non-monetary).

Assess before loading animals: Preparation for transport

Only animals that are fit to handle transport may be loaded. If you are not sure, refer to the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) species specific codes of practice or seek the advice of a professional before deciding to load an animal.

Animals must not be transported unless they are fit enough to withstand the entire journey without suffering pain or distress that is caused by, or made worse by, the transport process.

Fit for transport

Animals are fit for transport when there are no signs of illness or poor health. This means:

animals are bright, alert, moving and breathing normally
animals are in good body condition
animals are able to bear weight evenly on all limbs
animals are free from signs of disease (for example, normal feces, normal breathing, normal nasal discharges, no unhealed injuries, lesions or wounds)
no inside body parts outside
not likely to give birth during the journey or be affected by metabolic conditions associated with late pregnancy or birth

Check animals before transport

Unfit animals: Do not transport

Animals that are unfit must not be transported except to receive veterinary care on the advice of a veterinarian.

an example of a sick or dying sheep lying down

Options for unfit animals include:

treat and care for on farm
humanely kill or slaughter on farm
transport directly to a place where they can receive veterinary care

an example of a goat with signs of a broken leg

An animal is unfit for transport if it:

is non-ambulatory (cannot walk)
has a fracture that impedes mobility or causes it to exhibit signs of pain or suffering
is lame enough that it exhibits pain or suffering, halted movements or reluctance to walk
is lame to the extent that it cannot walk on all of its legs (non-weight-bearing walking)
has sustained an injury and is hobbled for treatment

an example of a very thin horse showing its ribcage

is extremely thin
is in shock or is dying
shows signs of dehydration
shows signs of hypothermia or hyperthermia
shows signs of a fever
shows signs of a generalized nervous system disorder

has laboured breathing
has a severe open wound or a severe laceration
has a navel with delayed healing or infection

an example of a sheep having difficulty breathing

an example of a cow with a cancerous eye and an inflamed udder

an example of a cow with signs of swelling and bloating

has a gangrenous udder
has severe squamous cell carcinoma of the eye
is bloated to the extent that it exhibits signs of pain or weakness
is in the last 10% of pregnancy or has given birth during the last 48 hours
has a prolapsed uterus or a severe rectal or severe vaginal prolapse
has a hernia that:
- impedes its movement, including when a hind limb touches the hernia as the animal is walking
- causes the animal to show signs of pain or suffering
- touches the ground when the animal is standing in its natural position or
- has an open wound, ulceration or obvious infection

is a trembling pig, with difficulty breathing and discoloured skin
shows signs of exhaustion
shows any other signs of infirmity, illness, injury or a condition that indicates that it cannot be transported without suffering

Compromised animals: transport only with special provisions

Compromised animals do not handle the stress of transportation well.

Take steps to prevent additional injury or suffering caused by transportation. Transporting a compromised animal without meeting the regulatory requirements violates Part XII of the Health of Animals Regulations. For example:

transport only short distances to get care, treatment, to be humanely killed or slaughtered
transport to the closest slaughter facility or consider on-site humane killing
compromised animals cannot be transported to assembly centres (for example, auction markets and assembly yards)

An animal is considered compromised if it:

is lame other than in a way that is described in unfit
has its mobility limited by a device, including hobbles, other than those applied for treatment
is bloated – but is showing no signs of discomfort or weakness
has acute frostbite
is blind in both eyes
is not fully healed after a procedure, including dehorning, detusking or castration
has a deformity or fully-healed amputation without signs of pain
has an injured penis (unhealed or acute)
has a minor rectal or vaginal prolapse
is/are a wet bird(s)
is in peak lactation period and cannot be milked to prevent engorgement
has any other signs of infirmity, illness, injury or of a condition that indicates that it has a reduced capacity to withstand transport

Regulatory requirements for compromised animals include:

being isolated from all other animals, or penning with one familiar companion animal during confinement and transport
loading and unloading individually (without negotiating ramps inside the conveyance)
taking measures to prevent suffering, injury or death
transporting directly to the nearest suitable place where the animal can be properly cared for or humanely killed

Examples of measures to care for compromised animals during transport can include:

loading last and unloading first
providing additional bedding
providing water or electrolytes to prevent dehydration
providing veterinary care for the specific injury or illness: (for example, pain medication or splints)

An animal that becomes unfit or compromised during transport:

must be transported directly to the nearest place where it can receive care or be humanely killed or slaughtered (for example, a veterinary hospital, farm, or slaughter facility)
if unfit, must not be unloaded while conscious if the animal cannot walk or stand

Contact your veterinarian, dispatch or the slaughter facility you are transporting to if you are not sure of the special provisions needed to move a compromised animal.

General requirements for the transport of animals

To help protect animals during transport, requirements include:

Configuration of suitable loading facility (for example, side rails, ramp, no gap).

having the knowledge, skills and training to transport the specific species:
- being aware of specific requirements for age, stage of production, species
having contingency plans in place to manage:
- unforeseen delays or circumstances
- animals that become compromised or unfit during the transport continuum
assessing animals for fitness before transport
isolating animals that are incompatible with each other
monitoring animals and risk factors throughout the transport continuum
using loading and unloading ramps and equipment that can bear the weight of the animals, equipped with adequate side rails and a surface that is designed, constructed and maintained to prevent the animals from slipping
using containers and transport vehicles designed, constructed and maintained for the animals being transported
using appropriate handling aids (for example, pig boards) that do not excite the animal, cause injury or suffering
providing adequate space and headroom for animals to be in a natural position and to be able to reposition themselves for balance and safety during transport

Proper loading density

Too crowded
providing feed, safe water and rest at the required intervals
providing adequate ventilation and protection from weather extremes
providing protection from exposure to toxic or noxious things
providing non-slip, secure footing in containers and conveyances
completing required records for each load of animals (date, time when and place where animals were last fed, watered and rested, condition of animals, etc.)

Help

If you are not sure an animal is fit for the trip, contact your veterinarian or a transport specialist, or refer to the NFACC codes of practice.

Visit humane transport and animal welfare or contact your nearest CFIA Area office for more information.

Note: This information is provided for information purposes. The user should consult the applicable legislation. In the event of any discrepancy between the Health of Animals Regulations and the Livestock Transport in Canada Brochure, the Health of Animals Regulations shall prevail.

Checklist for animal transport

Knowledge about humane transport of animals
Knowledge of the species
Knowledge of animal handling
Contingency plan
Clean equipment/biosecurity
Animals assessed prior to transport
Assess if special handling is required
Consider factors that affect transport:
- condition of the animal
- space requirements
- ventilation
- secure footing
- compatibility with others
- expected time in transport
- foreseeable delays
- weather conditions and changes
- driving conditions
- type and condition of transport equipment
- optimal animal handling
Plan for animal monitoring plan during transport
Records:
- animal transport record
- feed, water and rest information
- transfer of care

Language selection