November 9, 2023
November 9, 2023 marks the end of the one-year transition period for the amendments made to the Health of Animals Regulations (HAR) relating to hatcheries and supply flocks. This transition period was created to allow industry time to prepare and adjust to the new requirements.
All hatcheries must now:
- have developed and implemented a written preventive control plan (PCP), which describes operational hazards and how to mitigate these risks
- be obtaining eggs and chicks from supply flock farms that maintain a written PCP describing the farm's operational hazards and how the farm is mitigating these risks
- be following, and obtaining eggs and chicks from supply flocks who follow, the Canadian Hatchery and Supply Flock Testing Standards and the requirements under the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Hatching Eggs, Breeders, Chickens and Turkeys
- be obtaining eggs from supply flocks that test for Salmonella to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses; and
- have transitioned from their old permit to the new licencing system
The Establishment-based Risk Assessment model for hatcheries
Now that you have obtained your hatchery licence, the My CFIA Profile Manager for your hatchery is encouraged to enter Additional Hatchery Information (AHI) by locating the link on their My CFIA profile dashboard.
The data provided through AHI is used to help drive the Establishment-based Risk Assessment model for Hatcheries (ERA-Hatchery model) and assign your hatchery a risk level. This risk level helps the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) determine the appropriate level of inspection oversight activities, including the frequency of future inspections.
For questions about the ERA-Hatchery model please email: cfia.eramodel-modeleere.acia@inspection.gc.ca
Repealing of the Hatchery Exclusion Regulations
The Hatchery Exclusion Regulations set out criteria that excluded certain buildings and premises from the HAR. Through the modernized regulations for hatcheries and supply flocks, updated criteria were introduced to determine whether licencing requirements apply to a hatchery. A hatchery is excluded from licencing requirements if the criteria do not apply. As such, the need for the Hatchery Exclusion Regulations no longer exists.
With the transition period now over, the CFIA is moving forward with the necessary administrative steps for repealing the Hatchery Exclusion Regulations and anticipates the formal repeal to occur in the coming months.