Annex R: The Canadian Program for Certifying Freedom from Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs) for the Export of Beef to the European Union (EU)

On this page

Glossary

Agri-Traçabilité Québec (ATQ)

Agriculture and food traceability service provider in Québec.

Annex R12: On-site assessment report for Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs) It is an internal document.

Please contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) district veterinarian for more information.

Approved tag

Means a tag, chip or other indicator approved by the Minister under subsection 173(1) of the Health of Animals Regulations. For the purpose of this program, this can be any tag approved under the National Livestock Identification and Traceability Program such as those allocated by Agri-Traçabilité Québec and Canadian Cattle Identification Agency.

Auction Market

An operation which is enrolled in the program where eligible animals may be bought and sold.

Birth farm

A farm which is eligible to enrol calves into the Canadian Program for Certifying Freedom from Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs) for the export of beef to the EU.

Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA)

National administrator for the cattle, bison and sheep traceability program.

CFIA Accepted Transfer Documentation

This consists of the Transfer Certificate (Annex R-7) which includes the name and address of the owner and a unique premises identifier as well as a listing of the animals being transferred indicating their approved tag number, alternate ID (as applicable) and a signed producer declaration, or any other form generated by the owner that contains this information; and a valid copy of the Annual Certificate of Compliance (Annex R-7.1). In the case of farms on a recognized/certified management system, the documentation included must provide the same minimal information mentioned above. The District Veterinarian and the designated Canadian Food Inspection Agency Area Program Specialist will maintain the list of documentation required to be presented at slaughter for each recognized/certified management system.

CFIA Accredited Veterinarian

Within this document, any reference to accredited veterinarian means a private practitioner authorized by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) under the authority of the Health of Animals Act to perform certain duties and functions in support of the CFIA's National Animal Health Program.

CFIA Approved Veterinarian

Within this document, any reference to Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Approved Veterinarian means a CFIA Accredited Veterinarian who is under special agreement with CFIA to deliver this program.

Eligible animal

An animal which, prior to enrollment, has not changed ownership and responsibility for the control of relevant practices applied in its raising and has not been administered any Growth Enhancing Products and, once enrolled, continues to be managed within the parameters of this program.

Feedlot

An operation which is enrolled in the program and backgrounds or finishes eligible cattle for slaughter.

Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs)

Substances having thyreostatic, oestrogenic, androgenic, gestagenic or beta adrenergic action of which the use is prohibited by the EU. A complete list is available in Annex R-2.

GEP program

The Canadian Program for Certifying Freedom from Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs) for the export of beef to the EU.

Mixed status (farm, feedlot, or operation)

A farm or feedlot which has a combination of eligible and non-eligible animals or that has or uses Growth Enhancing Products on the premises.

Producer's declaration

A statement appearing on program enrolment forms and Canadian Food Inspection Agency accepted transfer documentation that is signed by a producer, person designated as responsible for that activity or person in charge at an auction market that indicates they understand the objectives and requirements of this program and take responsibility for relevant practices applied to eligible animals while under their control.

Veterinarian in Charge (VIC)

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency Veterinarian in Charge of a federally registered establishment.

Components of the program

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is the competent authority responsible for certifying meat and meat products to the European Union (EU). In order for CFIA to provide export certification for beef produced without Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs) there must be assurances of effective controls in all applicable phases of cattle production. The following 10 items provide the basic, mandatory components of the Canadian certification program:

  • animals will be identified under Canada's national livestock identification and traceability program

    This is done by tagging with an approved tag which provides unique identification for the animal in a single use and tamper evident tag. Mixed status farms will require EU eligible animals to be identified with an alternate visual identifier as well, which is easily discernable during a walkthrough inspection. This program also requires that this procedure be implemented prior to any processing activity which may lead to administration of GEPs. If the farm has an alternate proposal for a program to allow for visual distinction of eligible animals from non-eligible animals or the timing of application of alternate visual identifiers, they may propose this to their CFIA Approved Veterinarian for evaluation as an acceptable equivalence.

  • as per the Health of Animals Regulations, the animal must be identified with this approved tag prior to leaving its farm of origin

    In the event that an approved tag is lost during the growing period, or if the animal bears a revoked tag, replacement may be done by a designated individual at the farm/feedlot. Replacement tag records (Annex R-9 or an equivalent on-farm document) must be kept.

  • animals must originate from registered farms/feedlots

    The birth farms must be registered prior to the animal's transfer to another registered operation. Feedlots and auction markets must be registered prior to the animal's arrival at the feedlot or auction market. In order to apply to this program, the producer feedlot operator or auction market responsible person and the CFIA Approved Veterinarian will complete an enrolment form (Annex R-3) following the completion of a Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs) assessment and on-site assessment (annex R12) issuance of an Annual Certificate of Compliance (Annex R-7.1). The maximum validity of this certificate is 1 year. In a case of a farm on a CFIA recognized/certified management system the enrolment form (Annex R-4) will be completed by the producer only. Enrolment form and producer's declaration (Annex R-3 and Annex R-4) must be completed and signed each year.

  • registered farms/feedlots must maintain accurate and up to date inventory of animals enrolled in the program (Annex R-5 or Annex R-6)
  • animals may only be transferred to registered farms or auction markets in order to maintain their eligibility in the program
  • traceability of eligible animals must be maintained from birth through the slaughter process

    CFIA accepted transfer documentation must be supplied on arrival at a slaughter establishment approved to export to the EU.

  • animals must never be administered any GEPs during their entire life

    A list of prohibited products is available in Annex R-2.

  • registered farms which use GEPs (including those used in feeds) or have GEPs on their premises must record the purchase or receipt of any GEPs as well as the use or disposal of these products
  • all registered farms must maintain records identifying ingredients in any mixed feeds or feed supplements fed to animals enrolled in the program as well as the source of these feeds and supplements
  • records required by this program must be made available to CFIA or EU Officials on demand and retained for the following periods:
    • birth farms – minimum of 3 years from date of birth of calves; and
    • feedlots and auction markets – minimum of 2 years from the date cattle were received.

Adherence to the 10 mandatory components of this program will be monitored by a CFIA recognized/certified management system or by a CFIA Approved Veterinarian. On-site assessments are performed a minimum of once per year.

EU approved federally registered slaughter establishments

The District Veterinarian will maintain a copy of the specific CFIA accepted transfer documentation that each CFIA recognized/certified management system must provide to the EU approved federally registered slaughter establishments. This information will be provided to the Veterinarian in Charge (VIC) of those establishments by the District Veterinarian as required.

The producer identified on CFIA accepted transfer documentation is responsible for providing advanced notice to the management of the EU approved federally registered slaughter establishment when a load of eligible GEP program cattle, intended for export to the EU is to be delivered. Plant management will in turn notify in advance the VIC regarding the date of arrival.

It is the responsibility of the operator of the Federally Registered Establishment to ensure that EU eligible animals arriving at the facility are sourced from a feedlot who's Annual Certificate of Compliance (Annex R-7.1) has not expired or has a valid CFIA recognized/certified management system certificate or equivalent.

The operator of a slaughter or processing establishment must submit a control program that clearly outlines the controls that will be implemented to ensure that all applicable requirements are met and that eligible products can be readily distinguished from non-eligible products at all times. This control program must be found acceptable by the VIC or Inspector in Charge as the case may be, and must include monitoring, verification and record-keeping activities, deviation procedures and be auditable and effective. The approved control program (in reference to section 1.4.2.2 of EU requirements) utilized by the EU approved federally registered slaughter and/or processing establishment must include the points listed below:

  • whenever EU eligible animals arrive, a trained company employee is responsible for reviewing the accompanying documentation and assessing its validity and completeness

    Additionally, this person is responsible for ensuring proper segregation of the eligible animals. Prior to slaughter, the accompanying documentation (CFIA accepted transfer documentation, ante mortem cards, etc.) is to be presented by company officials to the designated CFIA Veterinarian for review.

    in order to accommodate already existing farm records and electronic inventory programs used by cattle producers and to prevent transcription errors, the identification of animals may be done by way of an industry record. CFIA accepted transfer documentation would still be required to be signed by the designated individual.

    If this procedure is used, the documents must:

    • be linked together by using a unique reference number generated by the farm that includes a premises identifier (that is PremisesID-2010-0001)
    • contain the minimum information required by this program (see definition of CFIA Accepted Transfer Documentation); and
    • the producer declaration will be signed and dated by the designated individual and all other pages initialled
  • the control program must be implemented and maintained to ensure proper segregation and identity of EU eligible products

    There is to be a clearly defined break between handling the eligible and non eligible categories of products. The carcasses (including the head and offal) and cuts which are to be GEP-free, are required to have their identity maintained until packed in boxes which are sealed with the EU Health Mark.

  • eligible animals should be scheduled to be slaughtered at the beginning of a shift and all program animals on hand are to be slaughtered, prior to the slaughter of non-eligible animals, with a clearly defined break in between

    This practice is preferable to facilitate operational control and monitoring of the program. If an operator chooses to process EU eligible animals using an alternative procedure (which achieves the same outcome), the control measures must be reviewed and found acceptable to the VIC prior to implementation. Prior to slaughter, the VIC is to be notified by way of the slaughter sheet as to, the identification of the eligible animals and is to be advised when the first and last animals are slaughtered.

  • the listing of EU eligible animals on the CFIA accepted transfer documentation must contain only the animals being shipped

    As an alternative, the listing may be a more comprehensive list but in this case the shipper and receiver must have a mutually agreed upon procedure which will provide feedback to the shipper within 14 days. Based on this feedback, the shipper must update their inventory list to accurately reflect what remains on their premises. This alternative arrangement must be agreed upon between the shipper and the slaughter establishment, with the latter being responsible for the on-site reconciliation of the identity of the actual animals shipped vs. those listed on the CFIA accepted transfer documentation. The agreed upon alternative procedure must also be approved by the VIC at the EU approved federally registered slaughter establishment. In all cases, reconciliation must occur prior to, or at, the company's identification station.

  • actions to be taken when approved tags from eligible animals are missing:
    • all eligible animals that have approved tags missing will be disqualified from the program and will not be eligible for EU export unless the conditions of section "5.iii." (below) are met
    • animals missing approved tags must be properly identified as per the operator written program to ensure proper segregation of the carcass

      Particular attention must be paid at the time of post-mortem inspection to hold or discard the head meat and offal from these carcasses.

    • in the event an eligible animal is missing the approved tag and the possibility that the animal lost its tag either in the yard or in the truck during transportation, and the VIC is satisfied as to the identity of the animal, the following measures will be taken:
      • operator must physically inspect the animal as per normal procedure and report to the VIC for approval what information (alternate visual identification, colour, sex, brand, physical segregation, etc.) was used to confirm what approved tag was previously present in the animal;
      • if the positive identification method of the animal without the approve tag is acceptable to the VIC (that is through alternate visual identification), the carcass can be consider eligible and isolated; and
      • if the positive identification of the animal without the approved tag is not possible or not at the VIC satisfaction, the carcass will not be eligible of EU export.
  • program animals will be subjected to a physical check by company employees for the presence of implants (see Annex R-1)

    CFIA inspectors are responsible for assessing the competence of the individuals conducting physical checks and monitoring their performance. If, as the result of a physical check done at the slaughter establishment, administration of an implant is detected or suspected, the CFIA VIC shall be notified immediately. This information must then be relayed by the CFIA VIC to the District Veterinarian for follow up investigation. The finding of an implant renders all animals from the same source non-eligible for EU markets until an investigation is completed. Deviations from program requirements or evidence of non-compliance will result in follow up actions including the possibility of removal of the registered farm/feedlot/auction market from the program. Should the results of this investigation raise doubts as to whether the operator should remain part of this program, the District Veterinarian will submit a query to the Operational Guidance and Expertise Group (OGE) to assess further follow up actions.

  • all procedures related to this program must be reviewed and found acceptable by the VIC of the Registered Establishment

    CFIA Inspectors are responsible for verifying compliance during production.

Testing procedures

EU eligible animals slaughtered in EU approved federally registered slaughter establishment will be subjected to a CFIA sampling program to monitor compliance with the EU requirements. Standard sampling program procedures established under the National Chemical Residue Monitoring Program will need to be adhered to. Samples will be taken by CFIA inspection staff and sent for testing to a private laboratory accredited by the Standard Council of Canada as per the instructions contained in the sampling plan. The sampling plan will be updated on a yearly basis or as needed (for example, Approval of a new establishment for export of beef to the EU). The cost of shipping and testing will be the responsibility of the operator of the Federally Registered Establishments. The operator is also responsible to ensure that testing results are forwarded to interested parties as per the instructions contained in the sampling plan in a timely manner.

Additional requirements

The first condition in order for Canadian EU approved federally registered beef establishments to access European Union markets is that the beef must be derived from eligible animals as prescribed under the GEP program described above.

Preferential rate tariff quotas under which Canadian beef may enter the European Union exist. Please refer to section 1.4.2.1 and Annex R-13 of European Union meat export library (ecert) for additional details on these quotas.

Applicants wishing to take advantage of the European Union Tariff Rate Quota for High Quality Beef must apply and submit an enrolment form to the CFIA District Veterinarian and the CFIA Approved Veterinarian to be included in the program. This will allow the beef products derived from the eligible animals to qualify for the EU Tariff Free Quota which is described in European Regulation (EC) 593/2013 (see Annex R-13 for more details).

Annex R-1 Physical checks for the presence of implants

The following 5 points serve to outline procedures that should be done when inspecting animals for the presence of implants at the feedlots and slaughter establishments:

  • such checks shall include an overall assessment of the animals for any unusual physical development indicative of hormone administration
  • the remainder of the physical check consists of thorough palpation of both ears
  • evidence or suspicion of an implant at the farm shall trigger the appropriate investigation and corrective action as needed
  • at the slaughtering establishment an examination of the brisket is to be made, following splitting of the carcass
  • if, as the result of a physical check, administration of an implant is detected or suspected, the CFIA Veterinarian in Charge (VIC) or the District Veterinarian shall be notified immediately

    This information must then be relayed by the CFIA VIC to the District Veterinarian for the proper follow-up.

Annex R-2 Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs)

Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs) are drugs containing any ingredient listed below:

  • Stilbenes, stilbene derivatives; salts and esters thereof:
    • Diethylstilboestrol
    • Dienoestrol
    • Hexoestrol
  • Thyreostats:
    • Thiouracil
    • Methylthiouracil
    • Propylthiouracil
    • Tapazole
  • Substances with œstrogenic or androgenic action; salts, esters or metabolites thereof:
    • Trenbolone
    • Methyltestosterone
    • Nortestosterone
    • Chlorotestosterone acetate
    • Methylboldenone
    • Zeranol
    • Ethinylœstradiol
  • Substances with gestagenic action:
    • Chlormadinone acetate
    • Melengestrol acetate
    • Medroxyprogesterone acetate
    • Megestrol acetate
  • Natural hormones:
    • Œstradiol
    • Testosterone
    • Progesterone
  • Beta-agonists:
    • Clenbuterol
    • Ractopamine
    • Zilpaterol
    • any other members of this family of compounds are not permitted at any time during the lifetime of the GEP free bovines

Annex R-3 Application Form for Canadian Cattle Producers/ Canadian Auction Market Seeking Approval to Export Growth Enhancing Product Free Bovine Meat to the EU

Check box(es) which apply to this application:

checkbox Cow/Calf operation

checkbox Feedlot operation

checkbox Auction market

Note: only animals that have not changed ownership and responsibility for the control of relevant practices applied in its raising are eligible.

Name of producer/auction market applicant: space

Legal name of business: space

Location: space

Mailing address (if different): space

Canadian Cattle Identification Agency / Agri-Traçabilité Québec / Provincial Premises ID: space

Telephone: space

Facsimile: space

(Complete if applicable.)

Cow-calf producers

I, (Name) space, am a cow-calf producer wishing to enrol calves in the program.

Calving season (indicate months): space

Year of birth: space

Total born (estimate): space

Intended for EU export (estimate): space

If the number of animals born is greater than the number of animals intended for export to the EU, please answer yes or no to the following questions:

Will animals not intended for export to the EU be administered any GEPs?

No or Yes (Check No checkbox or Yes checkbox)

If Yes - Do you have a written alternate identification or segregation program in place? Please provide the appropriate reference (document title, document reference number, etc.) to your written program.
space
space

Applicant initial: space

CFIA Approved Veterinarian initial: space

(Complete if applicable.)

Feedlot operators

I, (Name)space, am a feedlot operator wishing to participate in this program.

Approximate capacity of your feedlot: space

Number of calves intended for export to the EU (estimate): space

Will animals not intended for export to the EU be administered any GEPs?

No or Yes (Check No checkbox or Yes checkbox)

If Yes - Do you have a written alternate identification or segregation program in place? Please provide the appropriate reference (document title, document reference number, etc.) to your written program.
space
space

Applicant initial: space

CFIA Approved Veterinarian initial: space

(Complete if applicable.)

Auction market operators

I, (Name) space, am an auction market operator wishing to participate in this program.

Will animals not intended for export to the EU be administered any GEPs or will any animals coming on the premises possibly be administered GEPs prior to arrival?

No or Yes (Check No checkbox or Yes checkbox)

If Yes – Do you have a written alternate identification and segregation program in place? Please provide the appropriate reference (document title, document reference number, etc.) to your written program.
space
space

Applicant initial: space

CFIA Approved Veterinarian initial: space

Producer's declaration

checkbox I, the undersigned producer, hereby declare that I wish to produce animals whose meat will be eligible for export to the European Union for human consumption, and for that reason, I agree to comply with the producer requirements that are established in the Canadian Program for Certifying Freedom from Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs).

checkbox I am aware, having read and understood the Canadian Program for Certifying Freedom from Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs), having taken note of the list of Growth Enhancing Products that is referenced in Annex R-2 therein, that the European Union prohibits the import of bovine meat for human consumption that has been obtained from cattle being administered any Growth Enhancing Products and that I will be required to give a declaration for each shipment of cattle transferred to any livestock farm or facility, feedlot, or slaughter establishment (as applicable) declaring that the animals have never been administered any Growth Enhancing Products, while under my control.

checkbox I understand that failure to keep proper records (including animal inventories, ear tag replacements records or traceability documentation) or finding evidence of the use of Growth Enhancing Products in an animal presented for this program will result in repercussions up to the possibility of my removal from the program. Also if I have administered animals any Growth Enhancing Products on site I will have a record of purchases (quantity and type), a log of usage and an appropriate written alternate identification/ segregation program.

checkbox All animals which I present for transfer of ownership or slaughter under this program will bear an approved tag and will be accompanied by CFIA accepted transfer documentation to maintain traceability.

checkbox I understand that beef produced under this program may be sampled and subjected to tests that are reliable indicators of Growth Enhancing Products administration. I hereby undertake to give access to my CFIA Approved Veterinarian and/or inspectors from the European Union (EU) or Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to the required records, the premises, and the cattle. I agree to pay all applicable fees.

checkbox I also hereby allow inspectors from the EU or CFIA to obtain any necessary information from my CFIA Approved Veterinarian in order to verify compliance with requirements.

Name and position of the entitled person: space

Signature: space

Date: space

Signed in town/city of: space

in the province of: space

CFIA Approved Veterinarian recommendation

Name: space

Address: space

Signature: space

Date: space

Telephone: space

Facsimile: space

CFIA District Veterinarian approval

Name: space

Address: space

Signature: space

Date: space

Telephone: space

Facsimile: space

To Approved Veterinarian: submit completed application to local CFIA District Veterinarian for final approval.

Distribution of approved Annex R-3:

  • original CFIA District Veterinarian
  • 1 copy producer/auction market
  • 1 copy CFIA Approved Veterinarian; and

Annex R-4 Application Form for Canadian Cattle Producers Operating Under a CFIA Recognized/Certified Management System Seeking Approval to Export Growth Enhancing Product Free Bovine Meat to the EU

Check box(es) which apply to this application:

checkbox Cow/Calf operation

checkbox Feedlot operation

Note: only animals that have not changed ownership and responsibility for the control of relevant practices applied in its raising are eligible.

Name of producer applicant: space

Legal name of business: space

Location: space

Mailing address (if different): space

Canadian Cattle Identification Agency / Agri-Traçabilité Québec / Provincial Premises ID: space

Telephone: space

Facsimile: space

(Complete if applicable.)

Cow-calf producers

I, (Name) space, am a cow-calf producer wishing to enrol calves in the program.

Calving season (indicate months): space

Year of birth: space

Total born (estimate): space

Intended for EU export (estimate): space

If the number of animals born is greater than number of animals intended for export to the EU, please answer yes or no to the following question:

Will animals not intended for export to the EU be administered any GEPs?

No or Yes (Check No checkbox or Yes checkbox)

If Yes - Do you have a written alternate identification or segregation program in place? Please provide the appropriate reference (document title, document reference number, etc.) to your written program.
space
space

Applicant initial: space

(Complete if applicable.)

Feedlot operators

I, (Name) space, am a feedlot operator wishing to participate in this program.

Approximate capacity of your feedlot: space

Number of calves intended for export to the EU (estimate): space

Will animals not intended for export to the EU be administered any GEPs?

No or Yes (Check No checkbox or Yes checkbox)

If Yes - Do you have a written alternate identification or segregation program in place? Please provide the appropriate reference (document title, document reference number, etc.) to your written program.
space
space

Applicant initial: space

Producer's declaration

checkbox I, the undersigned producer, hereby declare that I wish to produce animals whose meat will be eligible for export to the European Union for human consumption, and for that reason, I agree to comply with the producer requirements that are established in the Canadian Program for Certifying Freedom from Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs).

checkbox I am aware, having read and understood the Canadian Program for Certifying Freedom from Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs), having taken note of the list of Growth Enhancing Products that is referenced in Annex R-2 therein, that the European Union prohibits the import of bovine meat for human consumption that has been obtained from cattle being administered any Growth Enhancing Products and that I will be required to give a declaration for each shipment of cattle transferred to any livestock farm or facility, feedlot, or slaughter establishment (as applicable) declaring that the animals have never been administered any Growth Enhancing Products, while under my control.

checkbox I understand that failure to keep proper records (including animal inventories, ear tag replacements records or traceability documentation) or finding evidence of the use of Growth Enhancing Products in an animal presented for this program will result in repercussions up to the possibility of my removal from the program. Also if I have administered animals any Growth Enhancing Products on site I will have a record of purchases (quantity and type), a log of usage and an appropriate written alternate identification/ segregation program.

checkbox All animals which I present for transfer of ownership or slaughter under this program will bear an approved tag and will be accompanied by CFIA accepted transfer documentation to maintain traceability.

checkbox I understand that beef produced under this program may be sampled and subjected to tests that are reliable indicators of Growth Enhancing Products administration. I hereby undertake to give access to inspectors from the European Union (EU) or Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to the required records, the premises, and the cattle. I agree to pay all applicable fees.

checkbox I also hereby allow inspectors from the EU or CFIA to obtain any necessary information from my recognized/certified management system in order to verify compliance with requirements.

Name and position of the entitled person: space

Signature: space

Date: space

Signed in town/city of: space

in the province of: space

Please provide with this application a proof or certification allowing CFIA to determine your participation in a recognized/certified management system.

CFIA District Veterinarian approval

Name: space

Address: space

Signature: space

Date: space

Telephone: space

Facsimile: space

To producer: submit completed application to local CFIA District Veterinarian for final approval.

Please note that the official approval of this enrolment will only be valid upon the receipt of a written confirmation from the reviewer(s) or auditor(s) of the CFIA recognized/certified management system to the CFIA District Veterinarian listed on this document that they commit to inform the CFIA District Veterinarian should the membership status of the participating applicant changed in this agreement.

Distribution of approved Annex R-4:

  • Original CFIA District Veterinarian;
  • 1 copy producer;

Annex R-5 Register for birth farms

Growth Enhancing Product free cattle

Reference # space
Page space

Name of producer applicant: space

Legal name of business: space

Location and/or Canadian Cattle Identification Agency / Agri-Traçabilité Québec / Provincial Premises ID:
space
space

Register for birth farms
Approved tag # Alternate tag #
(Compulsory for mixed farms)
Transfer certificate # and date

Annex R-6 Register for feedlot operator

Growth Enhancing Product free cattle

Reference # space
Page space

Name of producer applicant: space

Legal name of business: space

Location and/or Canadian Cattle Identification Agency / Agri-Traçabilité Québec / Provincial Premises ID:
space
space

Register for feedlot operator
Approved tag # Feedlot tag # Receiving certificate # and date Pen / Lot Transfer out certificate and date

Annex R-7 Transfer Certificate

Annex R-7 Transfer Certificate
Name and address of owner / Responsible person Date of transfer # of animals Premise ID Reference #
(example: 2011-001)
Are GEPs present on the farm of origin?
Yes checkbox | No checkbox
Were these cattle on community pasture/forestry reserves at any time?
Yes checkbox | No checkbox
Were these cattle sold through a public auction market?
Yes checkbox | No checkbox
Listing of animals can be entered below or attached
Note : Listing of animals can be entered below or attached Check box if listing document is attached checkbox
Approved tag Alternate ID Approved tag (Con't) Alternate ID (Con't)
Transfer to: Name and address of destination
checkbox Farm or feedlot
checkbox Auction market
checkbox Federally Registered Meat Establishment for Slaughter

Producer declaration

I, (Name) space, am the present owner of/the responsible person for the identified animals above or on attached listing consisting of # space pages with reference # space and have directly controlled or take full responsibility for relevant practices applied in their raising while under my control. If the animals have been owned by other persons I am in possession of a copy of the Transfer Certificate like this one from the previous owner or responsible person. I declare that the animals covered by this declaration have not been administered any Growth Enhancing Products when they were under my control.

Signature: space

Date: space

Annex R-7.1 Annual Certificate of Compliance

Canadian Program for Certifying Freedom from Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs)

This Annual Certificate of Compliance is issued to: space

Facility name: space

Responsible individual: space

Address/Location: space

Premises ID (CCIA/ATQ): space

Select the type of operator:

Cow/Calf checkbox

Feedlot operation checkbox

Auction market checkbox

Producer declaration

I, (Name) space, am the CFIA Approved Veterinarian responsible for the identified facility. I certify that, following my on-site assessment, the operator of the above mentioned operation is in compliance with the Canadian Program for Certifying Freedom from Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs) for the Export of Beef to the EU.

Date of the assessment: space

This Certificate of Compliance is valid for 1 year, until (insert the date): space

Signature of the CFIA Approved Veterinarian: space

Datespace

Notes: The maximum validity of this annex is 1 year for birth farms, feedlots and auction markets

On-site assessments are performed using the Annex R12 at least twice a year for feedlots and at least once a year for cow-calf operations and auction markets. Producer is responsible to contact his CFIA Approved Veterinarian and ask for an assessment within 1 month before expiration of the Certificate of Compliance. If the visit is performed within this 1 month time frame the same annual expiry date can be maintained (does not need to be adjusted from the date of assessment).

Distribution of the Certificate of Compliance: Original producer/auction market, 1 copy CFIA District Veterinarian, 1 copy CFIA Approved Veterinarian.

Distribution of the Annual Certificate of Compliance:

  • original producer/auction market
  • 1 copy CFIA District Veterinarian
  • 1 copy CFIA Approved Veterinarian, and

Annex R-9 Tag Replacement Report

Facility name: space

Address/Location: space

Premise identifier: space

The animal bearing approved tag number space

(if applicable), was found to have lost its tag but the identity of this animal was confirmed by the following means:
space
space
space

It was retagged with approved tag number: space

Date the animal was retagged and reported: space

Owner/Responsible person (print): space

Signature: space

Annex R-12 On-site Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs) Assessment Report

This is an internal document. For any information please contact your CFIA District veterinarian.

Annex R-13: Requirements for Compliance with the European Union Tariff Rate Quota for High Quality Beef Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 481/2012)

Background

Canadian beef for export to the European Union (EU) must be produced under the existing and EU approved, "Canadian Program for Certifying Freedom from Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs) for the Export of Beef to the EU" and the animals must be slaughtered and processed in CFIA Federally Registered Establishments eligible for export to the European Union. These prerequisites form the foundations addressing issues related to traceability.

In addition to meeting all requirements contained in the GEP program and requirements of CFIA Federally Registered Establishments exporting to the European Union, in order to access the European Union 0% Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) for high-quality, fresh, chilled or frozen beef, the imported products must qualify as high-quality beef as defined in Annex I of European Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 481/2012) as follows:

  • beef cuts are obtained from carcasses of heifers and steers less than 30 months of age which have only been fed a diet, for at least the last 100 days before slaughter, containing not less than 62% of concentrates and/or feed grain co-products on a dietary dry matter basis that meet or exceed a metabolizable energy content greater than 12.26 mega joules per 1 kilogram of dry matter
  • the heifers and steers that are fed the diet described in point 1 shall be fed, on average, no less than 1.4% of live body weight per day on a dry matter basis
  • the carcass from which beef cuts are derived are evaluated by an evaluator employed by the national government who bases the evaluation, and a resulting classification of the carcass, on a method approved by the national government

    The national government evaluation method, and its classifications, must evaluate expected carcass quality using a combination of carcass maturity and palatability traits of the beef cuts. Such an evaluation method of the carcass shall include, but not be limited to, an evaluation of the maturity characteristics of colour and texture of the longissimus dorsi muscle and bone and cartilage ossification, as well as an evaluation of expected palatability traits, including a combination of the discrete specifications of intramuscular fat and firmness of the longissimus dorsi muscle.

  • the cuts shall be labelled in accordance with Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 1760/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council [1]
  • the indication "High Quality Beef" may be added to the information on the label

Within the above definition and within this program, heifers are defined as females which have not yet calved and steers are defined as castrated males and this will be certified by the CFIA Approved Veterinarian based on visual examination of the animals.

Animals slaughtered for export under this quota will be aged according to Canadian standards for ageing by dentition outlined in the EU section of meat export library (Ecert) for details on these quotas. Cattle will be considered as less than 30 months of age (UTM), and therefore eligible for this quota, as long as the animal has only 2 permanent incisors and the first erupting tooth from the second set of permanent incisors is not above the surface of the gum. This will be the sole method for age verification for cattle destined for export under this Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ). Ageing by dentition by the operator is verified by the CFIA inspection staff on every carcass and any carcass for which the age criteria is not met has to be excluded from this Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ).

Feeding procedures

Prior to or during the visit to enroll a feedlot in this program, a CFIA Approved Veterinarian must inform the feedlot of the requirements that need to be met in order to comply with this program and assess the feeding regime of the feedlot and ensure that the following records are maintained at the feedlot operation:

  • a ration formulation record which identifies the concentrates and/or feed grain co-products in a ration and the percentage of each of those items within the ration on a dry matter basis
  • a record which indicates the date on which a qualifying ration starts in an identified pen or lot of animals
  • a record of the initial starting weight for the animals as they enter the feedlot
  • a record of the daily quantity of the ration delivered to that pen or lot; and
  • a record of the number of animals in the pen or lot

The feedlot operator has the option to have an animal nutritionist work in collaboration with the CFIA Approved Veterinarian to evaluate the feeding regime but the first assessment must be verified by the CFIA District Veterinarian that the CFIA Approved Veterinarian reports to.

Based on a satisfactory records review, the feedlot must then enrol in order to participate in this quota by completing Annex R-14.2 with the CFIA Approved Veterinarian. The feedlot and CFIA Approved Veterinarian must keep a copy of the completed enrolment form for a minimum of 1 year and the CFIA Approved Veterinarian must submit the original signed version to their CFIA District Veterinarian. Eligibility will be valid for 1 year from the date of enrolment so enrolment must be renewed on an annual basis to maintain eligibility to ship under this quota.

The CFIA Approved Veterinarian is responsible for issuing Annex R-14.3 for each load of cattle destined to the European Union which qualify for shipment under this quota. This requires review of records pertaining to the specific animals being shipped. Annex R-14.3 when completed and signed by the CFIA Approved Veterinarian provides the assurance to the CFIA's Veterinarian in Charge (VIC) at the slaughter plant that the animals listed on the Transfer Certificate referenced in the Annex R-14.3 have met the feeding requirements for a minimum of 100 days prior to slaughter. Note that this attestation is provided in addition to the documentation required for the GEP program as the GEP program is a prerequisite for this quota.

The CFIA Approved Veterinarian and the feedlot must each retain a copy of the feeding records which were used to perform the evaluation of the rations along with a copy of Annex R-14.3 for a minimum of 2 years. The VIC at the slaughterhouse must retain a copy of Annex R-14.3 for 2 years. All records mentioned above must be made available to the CFIA, a CFIA Approved Veterinarian or a European Union official on demand.

The specific methods for certifying that the feeding requirements are met are described in the following points.

Requirement that animals have been fed a diet, for at least the last 100 days before slaughter, containing not less than 62% of concentrates and/or feed grain co-products on a dietary dry matter basis that meet or exceed a metabolizable energy content greater than 12.26 mega joules per 1 kilogram of dry matter.

Although the format of feed recording documents may vary from 1 feedlot to another, the feedlot is required to maintain records which identify the concentrates and/or feed grain co-products in a ration along with their percentages on a dry matter basis.

Data from the National Research Council's "Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle: Seventh Revised Edition: Update 2000 0309592429" also provides the metabolizable energy values for concentrates and/or feed grain co-products in the feedlot's ration formulation documents. Based on the percentages of each ingredient in the ration and the metabolizable energy values for the ingredients, the CFIA Approved Veterinarian must evaluate each ration to determine which rations contain not less than 62% of concentrates and/or feed grain co-products on a dietary dry matter basis and also which rations meet or exceed a metabolizable energy content greater than 12.26 mega joules per kilogram of dry matter. A ration that meets both of these requirements would be considered a qualifying ration.

Under the GEP program, there is a requirement to maintain animal inventory lists (Annex R-6) using unique animal identification. There is also a requirement to assign the individual animals to a pen or lot number in Annex R-6.

In addition to this, feedlot operators are required to maintain records indicating the date on which each new ration is started in a particular pen or lot number. The recorded date that qualifying rations are started in a pen or lot number and the allocation of individual animals to pens or lot numbers in Annex R-6 provides the CFIA Approved Veterinarian with the necessary documentation to identify the 100 day period required for this quota.

Evaluation of the ration formulation, level of concentrate and energy contents of ingredients may be performed by the CFIA Approved Veterinarian in conjunction with a nutritionist. However, it is the responsibility of the CFIA Approved Veterinarian, and not the nutritionist, to attest that these feeding requirements have been met in Annex R-14.3 which must be generated for each shipment of cattle sent to slaughter under this program. Annex R-14.3 is linked to a transfer certificate through the unique reference number on the transfer certificate and the transfer certificate identifies the animals being shipped according to their unique identification tag.

Requirement that animals are fed, on average, not less than 1.4% of live body weight per day on a dry matter basis for at least the last 100 days before slaughter.

Feedlot yard sheets and other information, as necessary, must be provided to the CFIA Approved Veterinarian in order to evaluate average Dry Matter Intake as a percentage of Live Body Weight during the feeding period.

Note that there may be a period of adjustment when cattle first arrive at the feedlot during which their intakes may lie below the 1.4% level, however, the average for the 100 day period must be not less than 1.4% of live body weight per day on a dry matter basis.

The information on the average amount of feed for the 100 day period must be attested to by the CFIA Approved Veterinarian in Annex R-14.3 for each shipment of cattle sent to slaughter under this program. Annex R-14.3 is linked to a transfer certificate through the unique reference number on the transfer certificate and the transfer certificate identifies the animals being shipped according to their unique identification tags.

Verification

These procedures are subject to verification by the CFIA. The first assessment of a feedlot operation's feeding regime must be verified by the CFIA District Veterinarian. This verification step must ensure the following items are present at the facility:

  • ensure that the animals are fed no less than 1.4% of live body weight per day on a dry matter basis
  • identify rations which qualify according to the criteria in the definition
  • identify the dates that the rations were fed and ensure that a qualifying ration was fed to a particular pen or lot for at least 100 days prior to slaughter
  • trace individual animals from the slaughter information back to the feedlot via the transfer certificates and Annex R-14.3 and identify them into pen or lot numbers which were fed the qualifying rations for the minimum 100 days prior to slaughter

A copy of the records along with a Report of Inspector (CFIA/ACIA 1520) summarizing the findings will be maintained in the CFIA District Office file for this producer.

Supervision and audit of ongoing compliance with the above items by the feedlot and by the CFIA Approved Veterinarian will be done by the CFIA in conjunction with audits performed as outlined in the existing and European Union approved GEP program. The feedlots and CFIA Approved Veterinarian will be audited by the CFIA at a frequency of a minimum of 1 time per year.

Grading procedures

Grading declaration

The carcass from which the beef cuts are derived must be evaluated according to the Livestock and Poultry Carcass Grading Regulations.

For the purpose of carcass evaluation (grading) of High Quality Beef eligible to access this quota, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), recognized as the competent authority for Canada, will ensure that all such carcasses are evaluated by a certified evaluator (grader) who is employed by an organization recognized by the national government. This will be demonstrated through the signature of the evaluator on the "Grader's Certificate" completed for each carcass and reflecting the determined grade. The "Grader's Certificate" is reviewed by the CFIA's Veterinarian in Charge at the slaughter establishment who will subsequently sign the Certificate of Authenticity certifying that the beef identified in that Certificate complies with the required specifications.

Labelling and certification procedures

Labelling

The cuts intended for export must meet the labelling requirements as described in the EU 1.5 section of the meat export library (Ecert). The indication "High Quality Beef" may be added to the information on the label.

Certification

A Certificate of Authenticity will be issued by the CFIA confirming that the products described on that certificate qualify as high quality beef as defined in Commission regulation (EC) No 593/2013.

Roles and responsibilities

Feedlot Owner

The feedlot owner is responsible for meeting the following requirements:

  • performing an initial review of their feeding regime with a CFIA Approved Veterinarian to ensure that necessary records are in place to satisfy the requirements under this quota
  • completing an enrolment form (Annex R-14.2) with the CFIA Approved Veterinarian annually
  • providing copies of the necessary feeding documents to the CFIA Approved Veterinarian
  • maintaining copies of feeding records used by the CFIA Approved Veterinarian to complete Annex R-14.3 as well as a copy of Annex R-14.3 for a minimum of 2 years; and
  • allowing the CFIA Approved Veterinarian, a CFIA Official or an EU Official to have full access to these records upon request

CFIA Approved Veterinarian

In order to deliver the GEP program on behalf of the CFIA, the veterinarian must be approved to deliver this program as per a signed agreement with CFIA to deliver this program. In addition to this agreement, an accredited veterinarian wishing to deliver this supplemental program to access this quota must undergo additional training with their CFIA District Veterinarian and enter into an additional agreement (Annex R-14.1) with the CFIA.

In addition to the roles and responsibilities laid out in the GEP program users' manual, the CFIA Approved Veterinarian is responsible for:

  • explaining the quota and the requirements that would need to be met to qualify
  • performing an initial assessment of the feeding regime and records in conjunction with the CFIA District Veterinarian
  • enrolling compliant feedlots on an annual basis
  • ensuring that records provide the necessary information for certification (Annex R-14.3)
  • completing Annex R-14.3 for each compliant load of animals shipped to slaughter; and
  • maintaining copies of the feeding records used to complete Annex R-14.3 as well as a copy of Annex R-14.3 for a minimum of two years

CFIA District Veterinarian

In addition to the roles and responsibilities laid out in the GEP program users' manual, the CFIA District Veterinarian is responsible for:

  • providing supplemental training specific to this quota
  • accrediting the veterinarian for the provisions of this quota
  • participating in the initial assessment of a feedlot's feeding regime to verify that adequate records exist to meet the requirements of the program (rations, ingredients, energy contents, dates fed, traceability to pen or lot numbers)
  • providing a list of enrolled feedlots to the Veterinarian in Charge of the federally registered slaughter establishment
  • performing annual audit of the feedlot(s) and CFIA Approved Veterinarian(s)

Carcass evaluator

Carcasses for export to the European Union under this quota must be evaluated by an evaluator employed by an organization recognized by the national government. This individual must ensure:

  • that the carcasses intended for export are evaluated according to the Livestock and Poultry Carcass Grading Regulations; and
  • that a "Grader's Certificate" is completed and signed for carcasses intended for export under this quota

CFIA Veterinarian In Charge of the Registered Slaughter Establishment

In addition to the roles and responsibilities laid out in Annex R (the GEP program), the CFIA Veterinarian in Charge at the slaughter establishment is responsible for:

  • ensuring that any animals slaughtered for the purposes of being certified under this quota are accompanied by a completed Annex R-14.3 which is signed by a CFIA Approved Veterinarian
  • ensuring that the animals are slaughtered on a date after that listed in Annex R-14.3 as the date on which the 100 day requirement is fulfilled
  • ensuring that Annex R-14.3 and the Transfer Certificate are linked through the unique serial number on the Transfer Certificate which accompanied the animals to slaughter
  • ensuring that the carcasses are graded/evaluated (obtaining and reviewing a "Grader's Certificate" signed by an evaluator who is employed by an organization recognized by the national government)
  • ensuring verification of operator's procedure of ageing; and
  • issuing of the Certificate of Authenticity confirming that the requirements of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 481/2012) have been met

Annex R-14

Annex R-14.1 CFIA Approved Veterinarian Contract Requirements for Compliance with the European Union Tariff Rate Quota for High Quality Beef Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 481/2012)

Name of Veterinarian:
Legal name of business:
Business mailing address:
Telephone:
Email:

This document describes an agreement between the above named individual and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

This individual has satisfactorily completed the training for and is thereby accredited to perform the duties applicable to the inspection and certification of animals for the "Canadian Program for Certifying Freedom from Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs) for the Export of Beef to the EU". In addition, this individual has also satisfactorily completed the training for and is thereby accredited to perform the duties applicable to the inspection and certification of animals under the "Requirements for Compliance with the European Union Tariff Rate Quota for High Quality Beef".

This individual agrees to comply with all the conditions of this contract and to carry out his/her duties in accordance with the prescribed protocol.

This individual is aware of his/her responsibilities and obligations and possesses the knowledge to perform this activity.

This individual agrees to exercise the required controls over all official materials which may be issued to him/her.

This individual agrees to permit the Minister to release and publicize to the general public his/her name, business address, phone number and a list of his/her current authorized approved duties and functions.

This individual understands that failure to comply with the program requirements as outlined in Annex R-13 may result in removal of accreditation.

CFIA Approved Veterinarian

Name: space

Signature: space

Date: space

Witnessed by CFIA District Veterinarian

Name: space

Signature: space

Date: space

Annex R-14.2 Enrolment Form for Feedlots to Participate in the European Union Tariff Rate Quota for High Quality Beef Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 481/2012)

PDF (42 kb)

Name of producer applicant:
Legal name of business:
Mailing address:
Legal land location:
Telephone:
Email:

Producer's declaration:

I, the undersigned producer, hereby declare that I wish to produce animals whose meat will be eligible for export to the European Union under the provisions of the European Union's Tariff Rate Quota (EC No 593/2013).

I am aware, having read "Annex R-13, Requirements for Compliance with the European Union Tariff Rate Quota for High Quality Beef" and having consulted with my CFIA Approved Veterinarian, of the requirements placed on me as a feedlot wishing to export under this quota.

I understand that animals slaughtered under this quota must also comply with the existing requirements of the "Canadian Program for Certifying Freedom from Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs) for the Export of Beef to the EU" and that I am currently enrolled with CFIA to operate in that program.

I also understand that failure to comply with the requirements of the "Canadian Program for Certifying Freedom from Growth Enhancing Products (GEPs) for the Export of Beef to the EU" as well as those outlined under this program may result in my removal from both programs.

I also hereby allow CFIA and EU Officials to obtain necessary information from my CFIA Approved Veterinarian or to provide requested information to verify compliance with the requirements.

Printed name of producer applicant:

Position within the feedlot structural organization:
Signature:
Date:
Signed in town/city of:
in the province of:

Witnessed by Accredited Veterinarian:

Name:
Signature:
Date:

Annex R-14.3 Attestation for EU Feeding Requirements (Tariff Rate Quota) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 481/2012)

PDF (35 kb)

I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the animals in the shipment identified on Transfer Certificate Number: space meet the requirements of being fed for not less than 100 days prior to slaughter, a diet that:

  • averages not less than 1.4% of live body weight per day on a dry matter basis; and
  • contains not less than 62% concentrates and/or feed grain co-products on a dietary dry matter basis that meet or exceed a metabolizable energy (ME) content of at least 12.26 megajoules (MJ) per 1 kilogram of dry matter.

This 100 day requirement is fulfilled on the date of: space

I also certify that this shipment of animals contains only steers (castrated males) and heifers (females which have not calved).

In certifying these facts, I confirm that I am approved by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to deliver this program, that I have satisfactorily completed training related to this specific quota, that I understand the requirements associated with this quota and that I am fully aware of my responsibilities and obligations in the performance of this activity.

I am also aware that failure to comply with the requirements of this program may result in removal of my approved status

space
Printed name:

space
Signature:

space
Date: