Compositional and safety standards for livestock feeds

Introduction

The Feeds Regulations, 2024 ("the regulations") were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II (CGII) on July 3, 2024. The compositional and safety standards for livestock feeds came into effect immediately. However, a 12-month transition period (until June 17, 2025) has been established.

During this transitional period, livestock feeds may comply with the old standards outlined under the Feeds Regulations, 1983 or the new standards outlined under the Feeds Regulations, 2024. The transition period will provide time for any diet/formulation changes needed to meet the new standards while minimizing impacts on animal production. For additional information, please refer to appendixes 1 and 2 of this document for a summary of the old and new compositional and safety standards for livestock feeds.

After the 12-month transition period, the compositional and safety standards described in the Feeds Regulations, 2024 must be met.

Background

Under the Feeds Regulations, 2024, livestock feeds that are not exempt from the Feeds Act and the regulations must meet a number of regulatory requirements, including compositional and safety standards.

Section 37 of the regulations states that a mixed feed may only contain:

• single ingredient feeds (SIFs) as set out in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table (CFIT)
• medicating ingredients as set out in the Compendium of Medicating Ingredient Brochures (CMIB) or via veterinary prescription
• pest control products registered under the Pest Control Products Act
• non-feed products set out in the Compendium of Non-Feed Products (CNFP)

The regulations also outline the compositional standards for the different types of livestock feeds, and the safety standards which include the maximum levels of contaminants and other items that are not allowed to be found in livestock feeds.

Purpose

The purpose of this guidance document is to provide information on the compositional and safety standards for livestock feeds under the Feeds Regulations, 2024 as well as a summary of the old and new compositional standards (appendix 1) and old and new safety standards (appendix 2). This guidance on compositional and safety standards applies to livestock feeds whether or not they require registration.

Compositional standards

The compositional standards for livestock feeds include the definitions, specifications, content and guarantees set out for various feed types. The new standards are in effect immediately, and there is a 12-month transition period. During the transition period, feeds may meet the compositional standards outlined in the Feeds Regulations, 1983 or the compositional standards outlined in the Feeds Regulations, 2024 until June 17, 2025.

To accommodate possible animal production concerns resulting from changes to diet formulations, the minimum and maximum nutrient values referred to in Table 4 of Schedule I of the Feeds Regulations, 1983 may continue to be followed during the transition period. After the 12-month transition period, livestock feeds must respect the maximum nutrient values as set out in the Tables of Maximum Nutrient Values for Feeds.

During the transition period, single ingredient feeds (SIFs) may meet the definition found in Schedules IV and V of the Feeds Regulations, 1983, or meet the description found in the CFIT of the Feeds Regulations, 2024. A SIF label must meet the definition in Schedules IV and V or the description in the CFIT; not a combination of both. After the 12-month transition period, a SIF must meet the description found in the CFIT.

Refer to appendix 1 that summarizes the regulatory references for the compositional standards for livestock feed allowed under the Feeds Regulations, 1983 and the Feeds Regulations, 2024.

Safety standards

Under the Feeds Regulations, 2024, the safety standards for livestock feeds include the maximum values for nutrients (for example, the maximum values for micro minerals or certain vitamins), and the maximum levels for contaminants (for example, the maximum level of aflatoxins or lead allowed in livestock feed). In addition, safety standards can also refer to other items that are not allowed in livestock feeds. For example, mould or damage from heat that would result in the livestock feed being unfit for consumption by livestock. The new standards are in effect immediately, and there is a 12-month transition period until June 17, 2025. During the transition period, feeds may meet the safety standards outlined in the Feeds Regulations, 1983 or the safety standards outlined in the Feeds Regulations, 2024, or a combination of both. For example, 1 livestock feed could meet the maximum level of deoxynivalenol (DON) as set out in the Tables of Maximum Contaminant Levels for Feeds under the Feeds Regulations, 2024, and the same livestock feed may meet the maximum level of fluorine and HT-2 toxin as set out under the Feeds Regulations, 1983.

Refer to appendix 2 that summarizes the regulatory and policy references for the safety standards for livestock feed allowed under the Feeds Regulations, 1983 and the Feeds Regulations, 2024.

Compliance promotion

During the 12-month transition period, the CFIA will provide flexibility by assessing compliance using the Feeds Regulations, 1983 or the standards set out in the Feeds Regulations, 2024.

However, after the 12-month transition period, livestock feeds must meet the compositional and safety standards set out in the Feeds Regulations, 2024.

Appendix 1

Appendix 2