Inspection checklist for the approval of research/laboratory facilities to quarantine swine imported from the United States for research

The purpose of this checklist is to assist Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) veterinary inspectors with the inspection and approval of research/laboratory facilities intending to import swine from the United States (U.S.) for research.

Inspectors should keep in mind that the focus of the facility inspection and approval is on the imported swine and the aspects of the facility that are associated with them (for example handling procedures, movement protocols, biosecurity standards, etc.). Inspectors should also remember that the diseases of concern for swine from the U.S. are Pseudorabies (Aujeszky's Disease) and Swine brucellosis.

The checklist must be completed by a CFIA veterinary inspector for each import permit request either when prompted by the Centre of Administration (CoA) or at least once a year. The facility is expected to notify the district office if there are changes to the facility or biosecurity procedures between annual inspections. Any significant changes to the facility or biosecurity procedures should prompt another facility inspection. The completed checklist must be kept at the district office.

Company/Organization name:

Applicant's name:

Phone:

Email:

Name of individual from the research facility present during visit:

Phone:

Email:

Physical address of research/laboratory facility (including building information):

Room number(s) and total number of rooms where the imported swine will be quarantined:

 

General Information

1. Type of Facility:

2. Program Intent:

3. Other animal(s) currently housed in the facility:

4. Include a diagram of the facility that outlines where the imported swine and all other animals housed in the facility are located

 

 

 

 

5. Provide a brief description of the research program intent(s) for the imported swine, including the estimated duration of the research project

 

 

 

 

6. Reference material is available* about the swine diseases of CFIA concern (that is Pseudorabies (Aujeszky’s Disease) and Swine brucellosis) that can occur with confined animal species. This material should include information about clinical signs and transmission of the diseases between animals and/or between animals and humans.

*If not available, CFIA inspectors should strongly recommend its availability for awareness of laboratory staff handling imported swine

Mandatory requirements for approval of the facility

1. The facility is accredited by the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC)*

   *CCAC accreditation is mandatory to obtain a CFIA import permit

   Verify document.

2. The imported swine are Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) swine.

   Verify any relevant documents:

   • for example export certificate from previous importations if from the same exporting company and if available, letter from the exporting company, etc

     or

   • the importer has been advised that the imported swine must be SPF swine and inspection staff verify this on the export certificate post-importation

3. The imported swine originate from a herd in the U.S. that is periodically tested for pseudorabies and swine brucellosis.

   Verify any relevant documents (for example the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) certificates for herd testing for both diseases)

4. The imported swine are quarantined in a room or rooms (quarantine room(s)) which is/are separated from public and administrative areas by a door.

5. Doors to the quarantine room(s) are kept closed at all times.

   Verify that they are all closed. Doorstops should not be present.

6. All susceptible species (for example pigs, dogs, cats) housed in the facility are kept separated from the imported swine such that they are unable to come into contact. If facility personnel have contact with both the imported swine and susceptible species housed in the facility, there are written biosecurity procedures for handling of all animals to prevent the spread of diseases of concern.

   Verify document

7. The quarantine room has inward directional airflow

   Check at the doorway using a smoke pencil or tissue

8. An air filtration system is in place in the quarantine room that reduces the risk of pathogen spread (such as, but not limited to, high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters)

   Note: not all quarantine rooms have an air filtration system. In some research facilities the air from the quarantine room is directed to the anteroom that is equipped with an air filtration system which is also acceptable.

   Verify what air filtration system is in place (for example use and replacement schedule of filters)

9. Appropriate signage indicating Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and confinement requirements, emergency contact(s), CFIA district office contact(s) and limited access to authorized personnel is posted on each entry door to the quarantine room(s).

10. There is a designated area outside the entrance to the quarantine room(s) to allow for access procedures (that is donning and doffing PPE).

11. Any windows in the quarantine room(s) are either sealed or if they are openable, a mechanism is in place to maintain effective security and pest control, and preclude escape of the imported swine.

12. Surfaces and interior coatings of quarantined rooms including:

    • floors
    • ceilings
    • walls
    • doors
    • frames
    • caging systems
    • equipment/furniture

    And the rest of the facility are easily cleanable, non-absorbent, resistant and in a good condition

13. Sink(s) are available for hand washing upon exit from quarantine room(s). Alternatively, there is an acceptable protocol in place for hand sanitization (for example use of disposable gloves; hand sanitizers on exit).

14. As per written procedures, access to the quarantine room(s) is restricted to authorized, trained personnel only (for example lockable doors, personal identification number (PIN)/access card, signage, etc.).

    Verify document

15. As per written procedures, visitors and any untrained personnel are escorted by authorized, trained personnel when access to the quarantine room(s) is required.

    Verify document

16. The facility has a dedicated clothing and/or appropriate PPE protocol for the quarantine room(s). The protocol could include:

    • hand protection
    • foot protection
    • head protection
    • eye protection
    • full-body protection depending on the nature of the study and extent of contact with animals

    The protocol specifies that the dedicated clothing and/or PPE is either disposable or appropriately disinfected, and states that the dedicated clothing and/or PPE is worn only in the quarantine room(s).

    Verify document

17. Written procedures for biosecurity are available to facility personnel.

    Verify document

18. Job descriptions are available for personnel handling the imported swine.

    Verify document

19. All personnel authorized to enter the quarantine room(s) are trained about biosecurity procedures (for example entry/exit of the quarantine room(s), cleaning and disinfection procedures, etc.) and aware of potential zoonotic agents associated with the imported swine.

    Verify proof of training

20. An updated list of key personnel allowed to work with the imported swine is available and easy to find.

    Verify document

21. A pest control program is in place.

    Verify document and check for dead insects and mouse droppings

22. The facility has written procedures for Cleaning and Disinfection (C and D) of:

    • quarantine room(s) before arrival and after euthanasia of imported swine
    • unloading area
    • corridors used to move imported swine to quarantine room(s)
    • transport cages* and conveyance*
    • cages used in the facility for imported swine**
    • all areas involved in disposal of carcasses, body parts, bedding and feed surplus

    Verify document

    The transport cages and conveyance are disinfectable and are cleaned and disinfected in a manner satisfactory to a CFIA inspector. Alternatively, if transport cages are not treated at the research facility, there is a procedure to return these items within the truck (sealed by a CFIA inspector) to the destination of origin.

    **are be disinfectable

23. The facility has written procedures for disposal* and removal of:

    • the safe movement of waste from the quarantine room(s) to either a centralized decontamination area and/or a third party certified waste disposal company.
    • carcasses and body parts
    • bedding and feed surplus of the imported swine
    • medical equipment that was used for the imported swine and PPE (if disposable)

    Verify document

    *Examples of acceptable disposal methods: disposal with biomedical waste, incineration or burial at a site approved for international waste and disposal in the municipal sewage treatment system.

    Examples of Uunacceptable methods: reuse, contact with other animals and disposal in sewers not connected to a sewage treatment system.

24. The facility has written procedures to contact the CFIA in the event of quarantine breaches (for example animal escape) or disease outbreak related to the imported swine.

    Verify document

25. Written procedures to follow when imported swine show suspect clinical signs or die suddenly are available. CFIA’s contact information must be readily available and accessible by all personnel.

    Verify document

26. There are written emergency procedures for events such as:

    • biological spill clean-up*
    • animal escape
    • power failure
    • fire
    • other emergencies

    Verify document

    *Spill procedures must include a section regarding the prevention of release of contaminated materials into drainage systems unless linked to a decontamination system.

27. The facility has written CFIA transport licence (CFIA4206) request procedures for removal* of carcasses and body parts, and other applicable waste material, from the facility for disposal.

    Verify document

    *For additional details refer to the directive TAHD-DSAT-IE-2019-12

28. Written procedures exist for the disposal and removal of waste generated during transit, and treatment of equipment used in the transport of the animals from the U.S.

    Verify document

29. Records for the following items are maintained for the imported swine, for at least 2 years:

    • importation/receipt dates
    • animal ID, sex, and details
    • room location
    • room transfer dates* (when applicable)
    • CFIA Import Permit
    • Zoosanitary Certificate
    • when and where the imported swine were used
    • diagnostic tests carried out
    • date of euthanasia/death
    • body parts or other specimens sampled and their ultimate use
    • request for CFIA approval of the facility and for transport license (CFIA4206) for the carcasses/body parts
    • cleaning and disinfection of the quarantine room(s), receiving area, disposal area, etc.
    • disposal of carcasses, body parts, bedding, feed surplus and anything that was in contact with the imported swine

    Verify document

    *Imported swine may be moved to another room if precautions are taken to ensure that they do not encounter other animals in the corridor. Biosecurity procedures must be applied in both the corridors and the rooms used (that is cleaning and disinfection after use).

Invoice number:

Approval status:

Reason(s) for refusal:

*Following annual facility approval, subsequent site visits should be recorded in table 1 – Site visit log for research/laboratory facility approved to quarantine swine imported from U.S. for research (RDIMS 10173979).