The Feeds Regulations, 2024 impact a variety of stakeholders, including:
- single ingredient feed manufacturers and suppliers
- mixed feed manufacturers and suppliers (for example, commercial feed mills, specialty feed manufacturers, etcetera)
- rendering facilities manufacturing livestock feed ingredients
- feed retail outlets
- livestock producers (on-farm feed mills)
- feed importers
- feed exporters
Feed importers are businesses that import mixed feeds or single ingredient feeds (SIFs) into Canada. The Feeds Regulations, 2024 apply to those who import, export, manufacture and sell livestock feed. Depending on the scope of their business, a feed importer may be involved in more than one feed-related activity.
The Feeds Act sets out the authority for licencing, while the Feeds Regulations, 2024 set out exactly who needs a licence. Imported feeds fall into two categories:
This quick reference guide applies to you if:
- you import livestock feed into Canada for sale
- you import a livestock feed for feeding to your own livestock
Any person that imports a feed must, be prepared to provide:
- their name and address
- the name and address of the person from whom the feed is received
- the name of the country of origin
- the address of the first destination of the feed in Canada
- a description of the feed, including its name and quantity
Feeds that are imported for commercial use
The authority for licensing is limited to livestock feeds that have been imported for sale (that is, imported for commercial use). This includes feeds imported to be directly resold, or feeds that are used to make other feeds that will be sold.
Given this authority, licences are required for conducting activities (store, process, package, label or distribute) with a livestock feed that has been imported for sale. There is an exception to this for registered feeds, which means that in the case of livestock feeds imported for commercial use, the importer may choose to either register the feed or obtain a licence.
Regulatory requirements that apply to you
- Hazard analysis and preventive control plans
- Licences
- Traceability and record-keeping
- Product registration
- Product labelling
Hazard analysis and preventive control plans
You must prepare, keep, maintain and implement a written PCP for any activities you perform with the imported feed. In addition, you must be able to demonstrate that the imported feed was manufactured, stored, packaged and labelled under conditions which provide the same level of protection as if those activities took place domestically under a PCP.
Refer to the preventive control plans – general overview and hazard analysis – general overview for additional information.
Licences
You may require a licence to import mixed feeds into Canada:
- mixed feeds must either be registered or imported by a licence holder
- if your mixed feed is not registered, you must have a licence to import the feed
- you will need to provide your licence number or registration number at the time of import
SIFs may require registration for import or a licence once they have been imported into Canada:
- SIFs listed in part 2 of the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table (CFIT) must be registered before they can be imported into Canada
- you will need to provide the registration number at the time of import
- SIFs listed in part 1 of the CFIT do not require registration and may be imported without a licence
- you will not need to provide a licence number or registration number at the time of import
- for SIFs that are not registered, a licence will be required by the person or company in Canada who does any of the prescribed activities with the SIF once it has been imported
The Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) is being updated to reflect the import requirements associated with Part 1 CFIT-listed SIFs.
At this time, you may be asked for a licence or registration number at the time of import. If you are an importer of Part 1 CFIT-listed SIFs that has a licence, use your licence number.
Until AIRS updates are completed, importers of eligible Part 1 CFIT-listed SIFs that are exempt from registration and do not have a licence may enter 999999 as the Livestock Feeds Licence Number if required by the import declaration process.
The number 999999 is a temporary administrative code only and does not represent a Livestock Feeds Licence. Its use will facilitate the importation of eligible Part 1 CFIT-listed SIFs while AIRS is being updated, while also enabling the CFIA to maintain oversight, monitoring, and reporting on these imports until the necessary system and guidance updates are implemented.
Refer to the licensing – general overview for additional information.
Traceability and record-keeping
You are required to keep records of the livestock feeds you import for sale, including when and where they came from, as well as who you ship or sell the feed to. The records must include the name of the feed, the lot number, the date, and contact information.
Refer to the quick reference guide – traceability for additional information.
Product registration
Your imported feed may require registration. It is your responsibility to verify, prior to importation, if the imported feed requires registration. Refer to Quick reference guide – List of livestock feeds requiring approval or registration for a list of mixed feeds that must be registered.
In addition, you may choose to register a feed in order to import it without a licence.
Refer to RG-1 Regulatory Guidance for additional information.
Product labelling
You need to ensure that the livestock feeds that you import meet all labelling requirements outlined in the Feeds Regulations, 2024. Feeds that are manufactured abroad and imported into Canada must meet the same labelling requirements as a feed that is produced domestically. You are responsible for labelling the imported feed properly, in collaboration with the foreign manufacturer.
Refer to Labelling of Livestock Feeds for detailed information of the labelling requirements under the Feeds Regulations, 2024.
Feeds that are imported for feeding your own livestock
Livestock feed that is imported for feeding your own livestock is not subject to the licensing requirements. However, mixed feeds must be registered before they can be imported. Note that a licence may be issued on a voluntary basis.
Feed that is imported for research or experimental purposes is not subject to the licensing requirements but must be approved before it can be imported.
Regulatory requirements that apply to you
Hazard analysis and preventive control plans
You may be required to prepare, keep, maintain and implement a written preventive control plan (PCP) for any activities you perform with the imported feed fed to your own livestock. In addition, the importer of the SIF must be able to demonstrate that the imported feed was manufactured, stored, packaged and labelled under conditions which provide the same level of protection as if those activities took place domestically under a PCP.
Refer to the preventive control plans – general overview and hazard analysis – general overview for additional information.
Licences
You are not required to have a licence if the livestock feed is imported for feeding your own livestock. In this case, imported mixed feeds and Part 2 CFIT-listed SIFs must be registered before importation. Imported Part 1 CFIT-listed SIFs do not require a licence or registration for import.
The Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) is being updated to reflect the import requirements associated with Part 1 CFIT-listed SIFs.
At this time, you may be asked for a licence or registration number at the time of import. If you are an importer of Part 1 CFIT-listed SIFs that has a licence, use your licence number.
Until AIRS updates are completed, importers of eligible Part 1 CFIT-listed SIFs that are exempt from registration and do not have a licence may enter 999999 as the Livestock Feeds Licence Number if required by the import declaration process.
The number 999999 is a temporary administrative code only and does not represent a Livestock Feeds Licence. Its use will facilitate the importation of eligible Part 1 CFIT-listed SIFs while AIRS is being updated, while also enabling the CFIA to maintain oversight, monitoring, and reporting on these imports until the necessary system and guidance updates are implemented.
Product registration
Mixed feeds that are not imported by a licence holder must be registered. Part 2 CFIT-listed SIFs must be registered.
You are responsible for verifying if the imported feed requires mandatory registration prior to importation.
Refer to RG-1 Regulatory Guidance for additional information.
Product labelling
You need to ensure that the livestock feeds that you import meet all labelling requirements outlined in the Feeds Regulations, 2024. Feeds that are manufactured abroad and imported into Canada must meet the same labelling requirements as a feed that is produced domestically.
Refer to Labelling of livestock feeds for detailed information of the labelling requirements under the Feeds Regulations, 2024.
Benefits
The Feeds Regulations, 2024 are outcome-based and risk-based regulations with the focus on feed safety and compliance through modernized regulatory requirements (for example, hazard analysis, preventive control plans, traceability, and labelling requirements) and permissions (for example, livestock feed approval and registration and licences). The benefits of the Feeds Regulations, 2024 include:
- safeguard livestock feed and the food production continuum
- attain the most effective and efficient balance between fair and competitive trade in the market
- minimize regulatory burden
As an importer of feed, it is your responsibility to make sure that the feed you import into Canada meets the same regulatory requirements outlined in the Feeds Regulations, 2024 as a feed produced in Canada. Ensuring that imported feeds meet the same standards as feeds manufactured domestically helps to protect animal health and contributes to food safety in Canada. Whether imported feeds are registered or imported by a licence holder, the same conditions apply with respect to identifying hazards, putting in place preventive control plans, meeting safety standards, and proper labelling.
Livestock feed being imported into Canada may need to meet other import requirements related to plant health and animal health. These requirements are in place to prevent the spread of diseases and pests that could be introduced into Canada. The specific requirements for the importation of commodities regulated by the CFIA can be found in the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS).