Annex U: Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program

Version: May 20, 2015

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for certifying that poultry products exported from Canada originate from birds that have never been fed and/or exposed to ractopamine hydrochloride (to be referred to as ractopamine in this document).

This document describes the general requirements for the production and certification of ractopamine-free poultry products for export.

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Glossary

Type A Commercial Feed Facilities

Commercial facilities (feed mills and feed retail outlets) that manufacture, handle and/or distribute only feeds that do not contain ractopamine. They have never manufactured and/or distributed mixed feeds containing ractopamine (including trucking) or have followed the protocols in Annex 1 to clean-up their facility.

Type B Commercial Feed Facilities

Commercial facilities (feed mills and feed retail outlets) that manufacture, handle and/or distribute, in the same location or using the same equipment (including trucks), feed containing ractopamine and feed that does not contain ractopamine.

Type C On-Farm Feed Manufacturing Facilities

On-farm facilities that manufacture only feeds that do not contain ractopamine and are able to demonstrate that prior to enrolment in the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program, they have not manufactured feed containing ractopamine for a full year and have followed the protocols in Annex 1 to clean-up their facility, if applicable.

Type A Turkey Farm

This applies to farms certified under the Turkey Farmers of Canada's On-Farm Food Safety Program© (TFC OFFSP) that are able to demonstrate that, prior to enrolment under the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program, no turkeys were fed feed containing ractopamine for a full year.

Type B Turkey Farm

This applies to farms certified under the TFC OFFSP that have raised turkeys fed with feed containing ractopamine in the last twelve (12) months.

Type A Slaughter Establishments

This applies to the slaughtering establishments that slaughter only poultry fed with feed that does not contain ractopamine.

Type B Slaughter Establishments

This applies to slaughter establishments that slaughter ractopamine-free poultry meeting the requirements of this program, and turkeys fed with feed containing ractopamine.

Third Party Audit

A systematic examination, conducted by a third party auditor to assess the effectiveness of a facility's control program and determine whether the controls implemented meet the requirements of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program.

Third Party Auditor

A qualified person, who is contracted by a facility enrolled on the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program to conduct an audit of the facility's control program to determine whether it meets the requirements of the Program.

External Assessor

A qualified person, who is contracted by a facility enrolled on the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program to conduct an audit of the facility's control program to determine whether it meets the requirements of the Program (not an employee of nor holds ownership in the farm but could include veterinarians, veterinary technicians, feed industry representatives, slaughter house employees, etc.

Deviations Impacting Program Status

Deviations from Program requirements that result in the introduction or likely introduction of ractopamine in a feed manufactured for a customer enrolled on the Program. For example:

  • presence of ractopamine at any time in a Type A or C Feed Facility;
  • addition of ractopamine to a feed manufactured for a customer enrolled on the Program; or
  • sequencing of feed intended for a customer enrolled on the Program directly after a feed containing ractopamine without employing cleaning procedures.
Turkey Farmers of Canada (TFC) On-Farm Food Safety Program© (OFFSP)

The national Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) based on-farm food safety program developed and delivered by the Turkey Farmers of Canada, and that has received technical review from CFIA.

TFC OFFSP Auditor

An individual registered under the TFC OFFSP as eligible to perform program audits.

Provincial Administrator of the TFC OFFSP

A regional or provincial office designated by the Turkey Farmers of Canada as responsible to deliver the TFC OFFSP.

1. Feed Manufacturing and Distribution

1.1 Overview

At its core, the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program is industry-driven and, as a result, the ongoing conformance to Program requirements is the responsibility of the individual operator. Commercial facilities (feed mills and feed retail outlets) are required to conduct and document an internal audit within the first month following the implementation of the Program using Annex 6 Audit Checklist for Commercial Feed Facility. The internal audit will be conducted by an employee designated by the facility who has appropriate training and expertise.

To confirm that operations within the facility (commercial feed mills, feed retail outlets and on-farm feed manufacturers) continue to meet the requirements of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program, there are two additional levels of oversight envisioned: audits conducted by third party auditors contracted by the operator for all facilities (e.g., TFC OFFSP auditors for on-farm feed manufacturers) and monitoring inspections conducted by CFIA feed inspection staff at a sample of the facilities enrolled in the Program.

1.2 Roles and Responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities for the implementation and oversight of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program are expanded below.

Operators (commercial feed mills, feed retail outletsFootnote 1 and on-farm feed manufacturers)

Operators must ensure that all feeds delivered to farms ∕ provided to birds in barns, enrolled on the Program, are manufactured in accordance with Program requirements. The manufacturing conditions must be documented as required.

When a deviation from Program requirements that results in the introduction or likely introduction of ractopamine in a feed manufactured for a customer enrolled on the Program (e.g., a deviation impacting program status) is identified, operators must initiate actions to bring the facility and/or feed into compliance. In addition, commercial feed facilities must immediately advise farms and other facilities involved in the Program receiving feed, as well as the Animal Feed Division of the CFIA via email of any potential issues with their feeds.

The responsibilities of the feed facility operator, related to the Program, are to:

  • Meet the requirements to be accepted for enrolment in the Program, including:
    1. For Type A and C facilities that have, in the past, manufactured feeds that contained ractopamine, conduct and document a full clean-up of premises, bins, equipment and conveyances in accordance with Annex 1.
    2. For commercial feed mills and feed retail outlets, submit a Request for Enrolment in the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program for Commercial Feed Facility (Annex 7) via email to the Animal Feed Division of the CFIA once the facility determines that Program requirements are met.
  • Conduct and document an internal audit within the first month following the implementation of the program in accordance with Annex 6 (commercial facilities only);
  • Manufacture feeds in accordance with the requirements of the Program;
  • Offer for sale correctly labelled feeds (commercial feed mills and feed retail outlets only), e.g., labels do not include unapproved claims related to absence of ractopamine and/or participation in the Program;
  • Maintain written procedures and records that meet Program requirements;
  • Assist third party auditors and CFIA inspection staff with assessment activities including:
    • provision of copies of written procedures and records (including letters of guarantee from suppliers and those provided with shipments of feed as applicable) for review;
    • answering inquiries related to the implementation of written programs and other procedures used in the facility; and
    • provision of accurate information related to the facility's operations;
  • Identify and correct deviations in a timely and appropriate manner taking into consideration the seriousness of the deviation and its impact; and
  • Develop and implement acceptable and effective action plans in response any non-conformities or non-compliance identified.

All commercial facilities (feed mills and feed retail outlets) are required to undergo a third party audit within a year of enrolling in the Program. The external review and assessment of the implementation of the control program will be conducted by third party auditors including FeedAssure auditors for those facilities certified under this voluntary HACCP Program.

To confirm that the commercial feed facility continues to meet Program requirements, Type B facilities must undergo an annual third party audit. External audits performed every two years are required at Type A facilities. In those years that an external audit is not required at a Type A facility, the facility must conduct and document an internal audit, in accordance with Annex 6, to confirm ongoing adherence to Program requirements.

All on-farm feed manufacturers are required to undergo an audit of the program within a year of enrolling in the Program and, thereafter, in accordance with the required Program frequency. The review and assessment of the implementation of the control program will be conducted by TFC-OFFSP auditors.

The responsibilities of the Third party Auditor/External Assessor/TFC-OFFSP auditors are to:

  • In addition to the core responsibility of assessing conformity of the facility with the Program and ensuring operators effectively address any non-conformities identified, the responsibilities of the third party auditor/external assessor/TFC-OFFSP auditor are to:
    • Conduct Program conformity assessments using the appropriate checklist (Annex 5 and Annex 5.1 for On-Farm Feed Manufacturers or Annex 6 – Commercial Feed Facility) in accordance with current TFC OFFSP audit cycle;
    • Communicate results of the Program assessment to the operator in a professional manner;
    • Follow-up on operator's action plan implementation in response to non-conformities identified;
    • Ensure that a complete record of the Program assessment is provided to the operator;
    • Communicate any deviations from Program requirements to the operator in writing;
    • Make recommendations regarding ongoing participation in the Program based on results of Program assessments.

CFIA Feed Inspection Staff

To provide an additional level of confidence in the integrity of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program, the CFIA will select a subset of facilities from the population of commercial feed facilities and on-farm feed manufacturers, enrolled in the Program, and verify conformity to Program requirements. The facilities to be assessed will include appropriate numbers of Type A and Type B commercial feed facilities (feed mills and feed retail outlets) as well as Type C on-farm feed manufacturers. The assessments will be performed using verification tasks specifically designed to assess conformance with Program requirements at Type A and Type B commercial feed facilities and Type C on-farm feed manufacturers. The verification tasks will include review of procedures and records and on-site observations and interviews, to determine whether the Program requirements are being met.

The responsibilities of CFIA feed inspection staff is to:

In addition to the core responsibility of assessing conformity of the facility with the Program and ensuring feed facility operators effectively address any non-conformities identified, the responsibilities of CFIA inspection staff are to:

  • Conduct Program conformity assessments using the appropriate verification tasks at selected facilities;
  • Communicate results of the Program assessment to the operator in a professional manner;
  • Follow-up on operator's action plan implementation in response to non-conformities identified;
  • Ensure that a complete record of the Program assessment is provided to the operator;
  • Communicate any non-conformities with Program requirements to the operator in writing;
  • Make recommendations regarding ongoing participation in the Program based on inspection results, e.g., when a deviation from Program requirements that results in the introduction or likely introduction of ractopamine in a feed manufactured for a customer enrolled on the Program (e.g., deviation impacting program status) is identified;
  • Maintain all inspection notes in the official inspection file;
  • Submit electronic information for inclusion in the CFIA inspection database;
  • Ensure all documents used in the conduct of conformity assessment activities are current by using the latest version of this document.

1.3 Program requirements by type of feed facility

1.3.1 Type A Commercial Feed Facilities

1.3.1.1 Program Enrolment Requirements

Prior to acceptance in the Program, Type A facilities are required to conduct the following activities:

  1. Where the facility has, in the past, manufactured feeds that contained ractopamine, they must conduct and document a full clean-up of premises, bins, equipment and conveyances in accordance with Annex 1.
  2. Submit a Request for Enrolment in the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program for Commercial Feed Facility (Annex 7) via email to the Animal Feed Division of the CFIA once the facility determines that Program requirements are met.Footnote 2
1.3.1.2 Program Oversight

The control program shall be reviewed and an internal audit shall be conducted and documented, by an employee designated by the facility who has appropriate training and expertise, within the first month following the implementation of the program in accordance with Annex 6. Within a year of enrolment, an audit of the facility must be conducted by a third party, using the checklist provided in Annex 6, to confirm that program requirements continue to be met.Footnote 3 Thereafter, third party audits of the facility, performed every two years, using the checklist provided in Annex 6 are required. In those years that an external audit is not required at a Type A facility, the facility must conduct and document an internal audit, in accordance with Annex 6, to confirm ongoing adherence to Program requirements.

When a deviation from Program requirements (items listed in Annex 6) is identified by the third party auditor at the time of the audit, the facility will be required to correct the situation within 14 days after the audit in order to remain on the list of enrolled commercial feed facilities. Verification by the auditor is necessary to confirm that the situation is corrected and will be noted on Annex 6. If a deviation is not corrected within the required timeframe, the facility will be removed from the list of enrolled commercial feed facilities maintained by the CFIA. To be re-listed, the facility will be required to re-start the initial enrolment process. Dependent on whether the facility will be categorized as Type A or Type B commercial feed facility after the deviation is corrected, the program enrolment requirements outlined in Section 1.3.1.1 or 1.3.2.2 will need to be met.

1.3.1.3 Incoming Ingredients

Incoming single ingredients purchased from, and mixed feeds for further manufacturing (e.g., premixes and supplements) manufactured by other commercial feed facilities must be manufactured by Type A or B commercial feed facilities that are enrolled in and meet the requirements of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program (annual Letter of Guarantee required - Annex 3).

Letters of guarantee are not required for single ingredient feeds and mixed feeds for further manufacturing, such as sources of concentrated minerals, vitamins, flavors and enzymes, manufactured in facilities other than commercial feed mills.

1.3.1.4 Program Documentation

A Letter of Guarantee for the Feed Component (Annex 3) that the feed being delivered has been made in accordance with this program will be provided to other commercial feed facilities and farms receiving feed with the first shipment after enrolment and thereafter on an annual basis.

Regardless of the system of delivery for the feed it will be declared on the shipping documents or invoice that accompanies the delivery that each load has been made in accordance with this program.Footnote 4

1.3.1.5 Recordkeeping

Documentation, including audit reports, production and distribution records, copies of all letters of guarantee received from suppliers and issued by the facility to farms and other commercial feed facilities enrolled in the program must be kept on-site for 2 years from the time of distribution of the feed or until next third party audit and made available for verification to third party auditors, including CFIA or foreign auditors.

1.3.1.6 Communications

Upon completion of internal and external audits, the facility must provide a signed copy of the Audit Result Summary, found at the end of Annex 6, via email to the Animal Feed Division of the CFIA in accordance with the following timelines:

  • within 24 hours of the identification of any deviations from Program requirements that result in the introduction or likely introduction of ractopamine in a feed manufactured for a customer enrolled on the Program. (e.g., presence of ractopamine at any time in a Type A Feed Facility).
  • within 14 days of the completion of the on-site audit or within 24 hours of receiving the audit report signed by the auditor (external and internal audits), whichever is shorter.

Where a Type A commercial feed facility modifies operations so that it becomes a Type B facility (e.g., starts using ractopamine in some feeds and implements necessary controls to ensure feeds intended for feeding on farms enrolled on this Program are manufactured in accordance with Program requirements), the facility will inform their clients and the CFIA in writing as follows:

  • checkbox All clients will receive a new Letter of Guarantee with their first shipment of feed manufactured after the change in production type.
  • checkbox The facility will resubmit Annex 7 within 24 hours of the change in production type.

1.3.2 Type B Commercial Feed Facilities

1.3.2.1 Program Enrolment Requirements

Prior to acceptance in the Program, Type B commercial feed facilities are required to submit a Request for Enrolment in the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program for Commercial Feed Facility (Annex 7) via email to the Animal Feed Division of the CFIA once the facility determines that Program requirements are met.

1.3.2.2 Program Oversight

The control program shall be reviewed and an internal audit shall be conducted and documented by an employee designated by the facility who has appropriate training and expertise, within the first month following the implementation of the program in accordance with Annex 6. After enrolment, annual audits of the facility must be conducted by a third party, using the checklist provided in Annex 6, to confirm that program requirements continue to be met.Footnote 5

When a deviation from Program requirements (items listed in Annex 6) is identified by the third party auditor at the time of the audit, the facility will be required to correct the situation within 14 days after the audit in order to remain on the list of enrolled commercial feed facilities. Verification by the auditor is necessary to confirm that the situation is corrected and will be noted on Annex 6. If a deviation is not corrected within the required timeframe, the facility will be removed from the list of enrolled commercial feed facilities maintained by the CFIA. To be re-listed, the facility will be required to re-start the initial enrolment process. Dependent on whether the facility will be categorized as Type A or Type B commercial feed facility after the deviation is corrected, the program enrolment requirements outlined in Section 1.3.1.1 or 1.3.2.2 will need to be met.

1.3.2.3 Incoming Ingredients

Incoming single ingredients purchased from, and mixed feeds for further manufacturing (e.g., premixes and supplements) manufactured by other commercial feed facilities must be manufactured by Type A or B commercial feed facilities that are enrolled in and meet the requirements of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program (annual Letter of Guarantee required - Annex 3).

Letters of guarantee are not required for single ingredient feeds and mixed feeds for further manufacturing, such as sources of concentrated minerals, vitamins, flavors and enzymes, manufactured in facilities other than commercial feed mills.

1.3.2.4 Manufacturing Controls

Type B facilities must have in place a verifiable HACCP program which will include Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the prevention of ractopamine cross-contamination for feed being manufactured under this program. These SOPs must address incoming ingredients, production controls (sequencing and flushing) and transportation. Sequencing and flushing procedures must be developed and implemented for all equipment used in the manufacture of feed or the facility must use of segregated (designated) equipment from load-in to delivery.

Sequencing: When sequencing is being used in facilities, all feed manufactured for poultry under this protocol (whether for breeding or growing stages) must follow the CFIA medication sequencing guideline for management of drug carryover with special emphasis on ractopamine. In addition, feeds intended to be sold to a farm enrolled on the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program or farms supplying birds to these farms cannot be manufactured directly after a feed containing ractopamine without employing cleaning procedures to prevent carryover regardless of the allowance in the CFIA sequencing guide.

Flushing: When the facility cannot follow the above sequencing requirements (i.e., must manufacture feed going to a farm on the program directly after a feed containing ractopamine), then an equipment flush or other cleaning procedure will be required before the feed for this program is manufactured, handled or distributed. The flushing or other cleaning procedure must be approved by CFIA. The initial amount of tracer material used in the flush validation must be at least 30x higher than the detection limit (e.g., if tracer can be detected at 1ppm, the amount of tracer required in initial batch would be at least 30ppm).

1.3.2.5 Program Documentation

A Letter of Guarantee for the Feed Component (Annex 3) that the feed being delivered has been made in accordance with this program will be provided to the commercial feed facility or farm receiving the feed on an annual basis.

Regardless of the system of delivery for the feed it will be declared on the shipping documents or invoice that accompanies the delivery that each load has been made in accordance with this program.Footnote 6

1.3.2.6 Recordkeeping

Documentation, including audit reports, production and distribution records, copies of all letters of guarantee received from suppliers and issued by the facility to farms and other commercial facilities enrolled in the program must be kept on-site for 2 years from the time of distribution of the feed and made available for verification to third party auditors, including CFIA or foreign auditors.

1.3.2.7 Communications

Upon completion of external audits, the facility must provide a signed copy of the Audit Result Summary, found at the end of Annex 6, via email to the Animal Feed Division of the CFIA in accordance with the following timelines:

  • within 24 hours of the identification of any deviations from Program requirements that result in the introduction or likely introduction of ractopamine in a feed manufactured for a customer enrolled on the Program (e.g., addition of ractopamine to a feed manufactured for a customer enrolled on the Program or sequencing of feed intended for a customer enrolled on the Program directly after a feed containing ractopamine without employing cleaning procedures).
  • within 14 days of the completion of the on-site audit or within 24 hours of receiving the audit report signed by the auditor (external and internal audits), whichever is shorter.

Where a Type B commercial feed facility modifies operations so that it becomes a Type A facility (e.g., conducts a clean-up of their facility in accordance with Annex 1 and stops manufacturing, handling and/or distributing feeds that contain ractopamine), the facility will inform their clients and the CFIA in writing as follows:

  • checkbox All clients will receive a new Letter of Guarantee with their first shipment of feed manufactured after the change in production type.
  • checkbox The facility will resubmit Annex 7 via email to the Animal Feed Division of the CFIA within 7 days of the change in production type.

1.3.3 Type C On-Farm Feed Manufacturing Facilities

1.3.3.1 Program Enrolment Requirements

Prior to acceptance in the Program, Type C on-farm feed facilities are required to conduct the following activities:

  1. The production site, that includes the on-farm feed mill, must be certified under the TFC OFFSP.
  2. Where the facility has, in the past, manufactured feeds that contained ractopamine, conduct and document a full clean-up of premises, bins, equipment and conveyances in accordance with Annex 1.
  3. Have an external assessor conduct and document an on-site enrolment assessment of the operation's performance in accordance with Annex 5. A copy of the completed Enrollment Assessment Checklist (Annex 5) will be left at the production site, and copies will be forwarded to the Provincial Administrators of the TFC OFFSP and the slaughter establishment.
1.3.3.2 Program Oversight

After enrolment, annual audits of the facility must be conducted by the TFC OFFSP Program auditor, using the checklist provided in Annex 5.1 to confirm that Program requirements continue to be met. A copy of the completed annual on-farm assessment checklist (Annex 5.1) will be left at the production site and copies will be forwarded to the Provincial Administrator of the TFC OFFSP Program and the slaughter establishment.Footnote 7

In the case of any deviation found by the TFC OFFSP auditor at the time of the audit concerning the items listed in Annex 5.1, the producer will be required to correct the situation within 14 days after the audit, or, prior to the next flock from this farm being shipped to the slaughter establishment (whichever comes first), in order to remain on the list of enrolled farms. Verification by the auditor is necessary to confirm that the situation is corrected and will be noted on Annex 5.1 prior to submission to the slaughter establishment. If a deviation is not corrected within the required timeframe, the farm will be removed from the list of enrolled farms. To be re-listed, the producer will be required to re-start the initial enrolment process. Dependent on whether the farm will be categorized as Type A or Type B farm following the uncorrected deviation, the program enrolment requirements outlined in Section 2.3.1.1 or 2.3.2.2 will need to be met.

1.3.3.3 Incoming Ingredients

Incoming single ingredients and mixed feeds for further manufacturing (e.g., premixes), purchased from commercial feed facilities, must be purchased from Type A or B commercial feed facilities that are enrolled in and meet the requirements of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program (Letter of Guarantee required - Annex 3).

Letters of guarantee are not required for single ingredient feeds and mixed feeds for further manufacturing, such as sources of concentrated minerals, vitamins, flavors and enzymes, manufactured in facilities other than commercial feed mills.

1.3.3.4 Program Documentation

A Letter of Guarantee for the Feed Component (Annex 3) that the feed delivered from commercial feed mills has been made in accordance with this program will be provided to the farm receiving the feed on an annual basis.

1.3.3.5 Recordkeeping

Documentation, including on-farm assessment reports and checklists, production records, and copies of all letters of guarantee received from suppliers must be kept on-site for 2 years from the time of distribution of the feed and made available on-site for verification to third party auditors, including CFIA or foreign auditors.

1.3.3.6 Communications

After enrolment, annual audits of the farm must be conducted by the TFC OFFSP auditor according to the current TFC OFFSP audit cycle, using the checklist provided in Annex 5.1 to confirm that program requirements continue to be met. A copy of the completed on-farm assessment checklist will be left at the farm and copies will be forwarded by the TFC OFFSP auditor to the Provincial Administrator of the TFC OFFSP and the slaughter establishment within one (1) business day after the completion of the checklist. The completed on-farm assessment checklists will be used by slaughter establishments to maintain the updated list of enrolled farms.

When a deviation from Program requirements results in the introduction or likely introduction of ractopamine to a poultry operation (e.g., a deviation impacting program status) is identified, operators must initiate actions to bring the facility and/or feed into compliance and, within one (1) business day, advise provincial TFC-OFFSP delivery agents and slaughter facilities (in writing) of their delistment from the Program's eligibility list or any potential issues with their operations.

1.4 Summary of Program Requirements by Feed Facility Type

Before Program Enrolment
Requirements Feed Facility Type A Feed Facility Type B Feed Facility Type C
Conduct and document cleanout in accordance with Annex 1 if facility has used ractopamine in the past Yes N/A Yes
Develop, follow and document adherence to SOPs that prevent ractopamine cross contamination of feed being manufactured for this Program (i.e., HACCP Program) N/A Yes N/A
Be enrolled in sector quality assurance program No No Yes - TFC OFFSP
Have an enrolment assessment performed on-site by an external assessor N/A N/A Yes
Submit a Request for Enrolment in the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program for Commercial Feed Facility (Annex 7) to the Animal Feed Division of the CFIA Yes Yes N/A
Receive Letters of Guarantee (Annex 3) for all incoming mixed feeds and single ingredient feeds purchased from commercial feed facilities Yes Yes Yes
Submit completed Enrollment Assessment Checklist (Annex 5) to slaughter plant N/A N/A Yes
After Program Enrolment
Requirements Feed Facility Type A Feed Facility Type B Feed Facility Type C
After Program enrolment, handle only feeds that do not contain ractopamine Yes N/A Yes
Develop, follow and document adherence to SOPs that prevent ractopamine cross contamination of feed being manufactured for this Program (i.e., HACCP Program) N/A Yes N/A
Provide letters of guarantee (Annex 3) to other commercial feed facilities and farms enrolled in the Program Yes Yes N/A
Conduct and document internal audit within 30 days in accordance with Annex 6 Yes Yes No
Submit completed annual checklist for on-site evaluation of the farm (Annex 5.1) to the slaughterhouse N/A N/A Yes
Contract with third party to conduct audit of facility within 12 months of enrolment in the Program Yes
Annex 6		 Yes
Annex 6		 N/A
Contract with third party (or TFC-OFFSP program auditor) to conduct audits Yes
Every two years
Annex 6		 Yes
Annually
Annex 6		 Yes
Annually
Annex 5.1
Conduct and document internal audits, in accordance with Annex 6, in years when no external audit is required Yes No N/A
Submit completed annual On-Farm Assessment Checklist (Annex 5.1) to slaughter plant N/A N/A Yes
Communicate results of internal and external audits in accordance with timelines identified in the Program Yes
CFIA		 Yes
CFIA		 Yes
Maintain on-site for 2 years and make available on request Program documentation, e.g., audit reports, production and distribution records, copies of letters of guarantee Yes Yes Yes
Remain enrolled in sector quality assurance program N/A N/A Yes - TFC OFFSP

2. Turkey Farms

2.1 Overview

It is the responsibility of the Farm Manager to meet the requirements. For farms to enroll, an enrolment assessment of the operation's performance must be conducted by an external assessor, by using Annex 5 On-Site Enrolment Assessment Checklist of the Program.

2.2 Roles and Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Third party Auditor/External Assessor are to:
In addition to the core responsibility of assessing conformity of the facility with the Program and ensuring operators effectively address any deviations identified, the responsibilities of the external assessor are to:

  • Conduct Program conformity assessments using the appropriate checklist (Annex 5 and Annex 5.1 for farms in accordance with the required Program frequency);
  • Communicate results of the Program assessment to the Farm Manager in a professional manner;
  • Follow-up on Farm Manager's action plan implementation in response to deviations identified;
  • Ensure that complete record of the Program assessment is provided to the Farm Manager;
  • Communicate any deviations with Program requirements to the Farm Manager in writing;
  • If required, conduct verification assessment(s) of corrective actions;
  • Communicate the audit results to the slaughter establishment by submitting Annex 5 and Annex 5.1 within one (1) business day after the completion of the checklist. This will notify the slaughter establishment of the of the audit results, and will be used by the slaughter establishments to keep the list of enrolled farms current.

The responsibilities of the turkey farm operator are to:

  • Meet the requirements for enrolment in the Program, and maintain the requirements thereafter (as per Annex 5 and Annex 5.1);
  • Keep all required records for a period of two (2) years;
  • Make records available to auditors upon request;
  • Undergo the initial enrolment assessment and annual assessment audits;
  • Have a signed agreement in place with the slaughter plant to comply with the Program (Annex 2);
  • Submit the completed Producer Affidavit (Annex 4) with each flock shipped to the slaughter establishment;
  • Correct a deviation identified by the TFC OFFSP auditor during an annual assessment audit within 14 days after the audit; or, prior to the next flock from this farm being shipped to the slaughter establishment (whichever comes first);
  • Identify and correct deviations throughout the year as necessary, and communicate deviations in writing to the slaughter establishment if they cannot be corrected prior to the next shipment of a flock to the slaughter establishment.

2.3 Program requirements by type of farms

2.3.1 Type A Farms

2.3.1.1 Program Enrolment Requirements

An enrolment assessment of the operation's performance shall be conducted on-site by an external assessor.

A specific checklist shall be used for this purpose (Annex 5). The checklist shall contain aspects related to the TFC OFFSP protocols and records associated with the mixing, delivery and storage of feeds on the production unit, as applicable. This assessment will be documented and kept at the farm, and copies will be forwarded to the slaughter establishment(s) and the Provincial Administrator of the TFC OFFSP to confirm the eligibility for the enrolment on the program.

Each slaughter establishment will be keeping an updated list of the enrolled farms containing the following information:

  • Production Unit Name/Farm Name
  • Facility Contact
  • Mailing Address
  • Telephone
  • Barn Identification
  • Farm Address/Physical Address (Legal land description)
  • Under which type was the finishing farm enrolled (Type A or B)
  • If the farm is enrolled under Type B: Date the negative result for testing was received
  • Date of delistment/relistment (when applicable)
  • Type (A or B) of Commercial Feed Facilities (Commercial Feed Mills and Feed Retail Outlets) from which feed for further manufacturing (e.g., premixes and supplements) is purchased
  • Date of enrolment
  • Is the farm an on-farm feed mill?

These individual lists will be accessible to CFIA inspectors and foreign auditors at each slaughter establishment.

A change of ownership will require a new enrollment assessment of the farm.

2.3.1.2 Program Oversight

After enrolment, annual audits of the farm must be conducted by the TFC OFFSP auditor according to the current TFC OFFSP audit cycle, using the checklist provided in Annex 5.1 to confirm that program requirements continue to be met. A copy of the completed on-farm assessment checklist will be left at the farm and copies will be forwarded by the TFC OFFSP auditor to the Provincial Administrator of the TFC OFFSP and the slaughter establishment within one (1) business day after the completion of the checklist. The completed on-farm assessment checklists will be used by slaughter establishments to keep the updated list of enrolled farms. In the case of any deviation found by the TFC OFFSP auditor at the time of the audit concerning the items listed in Annex 5.1, the producer will be required to correct the situation within 14 days after the audit; or, prior to the next flock from this farm being shipped to the slaughter establishment (whichever comes first), in order to remain on the list of enrolled farms. Verification by the auditor is necessary to confirm that the situation is corrected and will be noted on Annex 5.1 prior to submission to the slaughter establishment. If a deviation is not corrected within the required timeframe, the farm will be removed from the list of enrolled farms. To be re-listed, the producer will be required to re-start the initial enrolment process. Dependent on whether the farm will be categorized as Type A or Type B farm following the uncorrected deviation, the program enrolment requirements outlined in Section 2.3.1.1 or 2.3.2.2 will need to be followed.

2.3.1.3 Program Documentation

Owners of such farms must sign an agreement (Annex 2) with the slaughter establishment stating that the farm is certified under the TFC OFFSP as meeting this program's requirements. The agreement must be updated in case of a change of ownership.

If any changes in the flock management protocols, that may affect the terms and conditions detailed in the agreement with the slaughter plant occur, the Farm Manager shall notify, in writing, the slaughter establishment operator and the Provincial Administrator of the TFC OFFSP within one (1) business day. This will result in a triggered audit and the Provincial Administrator of the TFC OFFSP will arrange a partial audit of the TFC OFFSP requirements relevant to this program. The checklist provided in Annex 5.1 will be used to re-confirm that program requirements continue to be met. A copy of the completed on-farm assessment checklist will be left at the farm and copies will be forwarded by the TFC OFFSP auditor to the Provincial Administrator of the TFC OFFSP and the slaughter establishment. As applicable, the list of enrolled farms will be updated accordingly.

The Farm Manager of the enrolled farm shall obtain a Letter of Guarantee (Annex 3) from its feed manufacturer on an annual basis. It will state that the feed delivered has been made in accordance with this program. Confirmation that each load of feed supplied to the farm is made in accordance with the requirements of the Program will be provided with each shipment of feed on the invoice or shipping document. The Farm Manager of the enrolled farm must keep clear and comprehensive records (i.e., shipping invoices for each load of feed delivered) of the feed entering the farm and must make them available to auditors upon request for a minimum of two (2) years from the time the feed enters the farm.

The Farm Manager must have available TFC OFFSP records indicating that ractopamine has not been fed to the turkeys. TFC OFFSP records must be available to foreign, internal or CFIA auditors upon request for a minimum of two (2) years from the time a turkey flock enters the farm.

For each lot of turkeys shipped to slaughter, the Farm Manager shall provide the transporter with a completed and signed Producer Affidavit (Annex 4) containing the following information:

  • Farm owner identification;
  • Premises identification (e.g., barn identification number(s));
  • Number of turkeys shipped;
  • Shipment date; and
  • A signed statement by the owner or the Farm Manager indicating that the birds shipped were not fed feed containing ractopamine hydrochloride at any stage of production, and were produced in accordance with the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program.

A faxed or scanned copy of the Producer Affidavit can be provided prior to the transportation of the birds to the slaughter establishment, but the original copy shall be provided at the time of unloading the birds. The Producer Affidavit provided with the first lot of birds will cover multiple truckloads unloaded at the same slaughter establishment on the same day.

2.3.1.4 Program Record Keeping

Clear and comprehensive records must be kept on-site and made available to auditors upon request for a minimum of two (2) years from the time the birds are marketed.

The TFC OFFSP audit records must be available to foreign or CFIA auditors upon request for two (2) years.

2.3.2 Type B Farms

2.3.2.1 Program Enrolment Requirements

To become eligible, grow-out barns of such farms must undergo a complete clean prior to introducing turkeys raised according to this program. The farm's TFC OFFSP records supporting these conditions must be available for program assessment or audits.

Step 1: Perform a complete clean-up of the feed distribution system as per Annex 1.
Step 2: Remove any birds that may have been exposed to ractopamine.
Step 3: Clean the barn(s) and equipment that might have been exposed to the feed containing ractopamine (dust) or with birds fed with ractopamine.
Step 4: Introduce eligible birds.

An enrolment assessment of the operation's performance shall be conducted on-site by an external assessor.

A specific checklist shall be used for this purpose (Annex 5). The checklist shall contain aspects related to the TFC OFFSP protocols and records associated with the mixing, delivery and storage of feeds on the production unit, as applicable. This assessment will be documented and kept at the farm, and copies will be forwarded to the slaughter establishment(s) and the Provincial Administrator of the TFC OFFSP to confirm the eligibility for the enrolment on the program.

Each slaughter establishment will be keeping an updated list of the enrolled farms containing the following information:

  • Production Unit Name/Farm Name
  • Facility Contact
  • Mailing Address
  • Telephone
  • Barn Identification
  • Farm Address/Physical Address (Legal land description)
  • Under which type was the finishing farm enrolled (Type A or B)
  • If the farm is enrolled under Type B: Date the negative result for testing was received
  • Date of delistment/relistment (when applicable)
  • Type (A or B) of Commercial Feed Facilities (Commercial Feed Mills and Feed Retail Outlets) from which feed for further manufacturing (e.g., premixes and supplements) is purchased
  • Date of enrolment
  • Is the farm an on-farm feed mill?

These individual lists will be accessible to CFIA inspectors and foreign auditors at each slaughter establishment.

Prior to the farm being recognized as producing turkeys that were not fed with feed containing ractopamine, one (1) carcass sample from the first flock of animals must be tested for the presence of ractopamine in order to verify if the cleaning and control procedures were performed efficiently. This testing will be considered as part of the mandatory, randomized annual testing required to the slaughter establishments. Approval of the farm is conditional to negative test results. Once negative test results are received, meat may be exported. The list of enrolled farms will be amended accordingly.

A change of ownership will require a new enrollment assessment of the farm.

2.3.2.2 Program Oversight

After enrolment, annual audits of the farm must be conducted by the TFC OFFSP auditor according to the current TFC OFFSP audit cycle, using the checklist provided in Annex 5.1 to confirm that Program requirements continue to be met. A copy of the completed on-farm assessment checklist will be left at the farm and copies will be forwarded by the TFC OFFSP auditor to the Provincial Administrator of the TFC OFFSP and the slaughter establishment within one (1) business day after the completion of the checklist. The completed on-farm assessment checklists will be used by slaughter establishments to keep an updated list of enrolled farms. In the case of any deviation found by the TFC OFFSP auditor at the time of the audit concerning the items listed in Annex 5.1, the producer will be required to correct the situation within 14 days after the audit; or, prior to the next flock from this farm being shipped to the slaughter establishment (whichever comes first), in order to remain on the list of enrolled farms. Verification by the auditor is necessary to confirm that the situation is corrected and will be noted on Annex 5.1 prior to submission to the slaughter establishment. If a deviation is not corrected within the required timeframe, the farm will be removed from the list of enrolled farms. To be re-listed, the producer will be required to re-start the initial enrolment process. Dependent on whether the farm will be categorized as Type A or Type B farm following the uncorrected deviation, the program enrolment requirements outlined in Section 2.3.1.1 or 2.3.2.2 will need to be followed.

2.3.2.3 Program Documentation

Owners of such farms must sign an agreement (Annex 2) with the slaughtering establishment stating that the farm is certified under the TFC OFFSP as meeting this program's requirements. The agreement must be updated in case of a change of ownership.

If any changes in the flock management protocols occur that may affect the terms and conditions detailed in the agreement with the slaughter plant, the Farm Manager shall notify, in writing, the slaughter establishment operator and the Provincial Administrator of the TFC OFFSP office within one (1) business day. This will result in a triggered audit and the Provincial Administrator of the TFC OFFSP will arrange a partial audit of the TFC OFFSP requirements relevant to this program. The checklist provided in Annex 5.1 will be used to re-confirm that program requirements continue to be met. A copy of the completed on-farm assessment checklist will be left at the farm and copies will be forwarded by the TFC OFFSP auditor to the Provincial Administrator of the TFC OFFSP and the slaughter establishment. As applicable, the list of enrolled farms will be updated accordingly.

The Farm Manager of the enrolled farm shall obtain a Letter of Guarantee on an annual basis (Annex 3) from its feed manufacturer. It will state that the feed delivered has been made in accordance with this program. Confirmation that each load of feed supplied to the farm is made in accordance with the requirements of the Program will be provided with each shipment of feed on the invoice or shipping document. The Farm Manager of the enrolled farm must keep clear and comprehensive records (i.e., shipping invoices for each load of feed delivered) of the feed entering the farm and must make them available to auditors upon request for a minimum of two (2) years from the time the feed enters the farm.

The Farm Manager must have available TFC OFFSP records indicating that ractopamine has not been fed to the turkeys. TFC OFFSP records must be available to foreign, internal or CFIA auditors upon request for a minimum of two (2) years from the time a turkey flock enters the farm.

For each lot of turkeys shipped to slaughter, the Farm Manager shall provide the transporter with a completed and signed Producer Affidavit (Annex 4) containing the following information:

  • Farm owner identification;
  • Premises identification (e.g., barn identification number(s));
  • Number of turkeys shipped;
  • Shipment date; and
  • A signed statement by the owner or the Farm Manager indicating that the birds shipped were not fed feed containing ractopamine hydrochloride at any stage of production, and were produced in accordance with the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program.

A faxed or scanned copy of the Producer Affidavit can be provided prior to the transportation of the birds to the slaughter establishment, but the original copy shall be provided at the time of unloading the birds. The Producer Affidavit provided with the first lot of birds will cover multiple truckloads unloaded at the same slaughter establishment on the same day.

2.3.2.4 Program Record Keeping

Clear and comprehensive records must be kept on-site and made available to auditors upon request for a minimum of two (2) years from the time the birds are marketed.

The TFC OFFSP audit records must be available to foreign or CFIA auditors upon request for two (2) years.

2.4 Requirements Summary for Type A and Type B Farms

Requirements Farm Type A Farm Type B
4 steps clean-up procedure (including the feed component clean-out as per Annex 1) No Yes
Carcass sampling for enrolment of Type B farms No Yes
TFC OFFSP records available for audits Yes Yes
Annex 5
On-Site Enrollment Assessment Checklist (for turkey farms and on-farm feed facilities)		 Yes Yes
Annex 5.1
On-farm Assessment Checklist (for turkey farms and on-farm feed facilities)		 Yes Yes
Annex 2
Agreement with slaughter establishment		 Yes Yes
Annex 3
Letters of guarantee from feed facilities		 Yes Yes
Annex 4
Producer Affidavit		 Yes Yes

3. Transportation

The transporter shall present the Producer Affidavit (Annex 4) containing the relevant information for the program to the operator of the slaughter establishment prior to unloading any bird. The Producer Affidavit provided with the first lot of birds will cover multiple truckloads unloaded at the same slaughter establishment on the same day.

4. Slaughter Establishments

4.1 Overview

Demonstration of on-going conformity with the Program requirements is the responsibility of the individual slaughter operator. For slaughter establishments, the written control program must be reviewed and assessed by the CFIA Veterinarian in Charge (VIC) and regional veterinary officer prior to approval. CFIA meat inspection staff will be conducting appropriate Compliance Verification System export task(s) according to national frequency, as a minimum.

4.2 Roles and Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the slaughter establishment operator, related to the Program, are to:

  • Produce poultry meat and meat products in accordance with the requirements of the Program;
  • Maintain written procedures and records that meet Program requirements;
  • Assist CFIA inspection staff with assessment activities including provision of copies of written procedures and records for review as requested, answering inquiries related to the implementation of the written program and provision of accurate information related to the facility's operations;
  • Identify and correct non-compliances in a timely and appropriate manner; and
  • Develop and implement acceptable and effective action plans in response to any non-compliances identified.

The responsibilities of the CFIA meat inspection staff are to:

  • Assessing conformity of the facility with the Program and ensuring Operators effectively address any non-compliances identified;
  • Review and assess the written control programs prior to accepting the establishment under the Program;
  • Conduct appropriate verification tasks according to the national frequency and when deemed necessary;
  • Follow-up on items requiring correction.

4.3 Program Requirements

4.3.1 Type A Slaughter Establishments

4.3.1.1 Program Enrolment Requirements

Operators of these slaughter establishments must develop, implement and maintain control programs to avoid the entry of turkeys fed with feed containing ractopamine, as a requirement of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program. The control program shall contain all key elements of a recognized Quality Control Program (e.g., written performance standards, deviation procedures, records, monitoring, verification procedures, annual review, etc.).

The slaughter establishment's control program and the relevant up-to-date list of eligible farms, including the appropriate completed enrolment assessments, shall be presented to the CFIA VIC and regional veterinary officer for review and assessment, prior to approval.

Each slaughter establishment will be keeping an updated list of the enrolled farms containing the following information:

  • Production Unit Name/Farm Name
  • Facility Contact
  • Mailing Address
  • Telephone
  • Barn Identification
  • Farm Address/Physical Address (Legal land description)
  • Under which type was the finishing farm enrolled (Type A or B)
  • If the farm is enrolled under Type B: Date the negative result for testing was received
  • Date of delistment/relistment (when applicable)
  • Type (A or B) of Commercial Feed Facilities (Commercial Feed Mills and Feed Retail Outlets) from which feed for further manufacturing (e.g., premixes and supplements) is purchased
  • Date of enrolment
  • Is the farm an on-farm feed mill?

These individual lists will be accessible to CFIA inspectors and foreign auditors at each slaughter establishment.

4.3.1.2 Program Documentation

The operator shall have the signed agreements of turkey suppliers stating that the farm is certified under the TFC OFFSP and is meeting the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program requirements (Annex 2) and copies of the approved enrolment assessment (Annex 5) and annual on-farm assessment checklist (Annex 5.1).

The transporter is to present the Producer Affidavit (Annex 4) to the operator of the slaughter establishment prior to unloading the birds under this program. The Producer Affidavit provided with the first truckload will cover multiple truckloads unloaded at the same slaughter establishment on the same day. The Producer Affidavit must be made available upon request to the CFIA VIC.

4.3.1.3 Program Randomized Statistical Testing

Birds produced under the present program are subject to randomized statistical testing. Bird testing requirements shall be based on the production volume of the slaughtering establishment. Poultry deadweight (tons) produced under the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program or the industry/government forecast for the upcoming year, divided by 400 tons, will provide the total number of bird tests required for the year per establishment. For example, if an establishment was to produce 4000 tons of poultry deadweight under the current Program, it would be required to sample 10 birds. The Veterinarian in Charge/Inspector in Charge (VIC/IIC) at the slaughter establishment will determine a random sampling schedule by using a randomized calculation tool (e.g., www.randomizer.org). The VIC/IIC will provide the slaughter establishment the sampling coordinates: sampling shall be distributed throughout the fiscal year. The VIC/IIC shall report annual ractopamine random sampling forecasting for the current fiscal year, using Annex 9, by contacting the following email address: ractopaminedatabase@inspection.gc.ca. Bird sampling and shipment of the samples will be performed by the operator under the CFIA supervision. A portion of the randomized statistical testing will be targeted testing, which will be performed in the following percentage: 60% of the total annual sampling must target birds from farms which were supplied from Type B commercial feed mills.

Bird sampling and shipment of the samples will be performed by the operator under the CFIA supervision. Liver tissue will be sampled and the establishments must run the ractopamine testing at a frequency of every two months or less. The samples shall be sent to an accredited laboratory with a method for total ractopamine on its scope of accreditation, which is based on CFIA's reference method CVDR-M-3021.8. All laboratory results shall be sent immediately, simultaneously and directly to the plant and the CFIA VIC. The operator must convey instructions to their contracted laboratory for reporting test results to the CFIA, using Annex 8, by contacting the following email address: ractopaminedatabase@inspection.gc.ca.

If a sample is found positive for ractopamine, the operator shall implement corrective and preventive actions without delay to ensure product that is potentially in non-compliance is controlled, and that the root cause of the non-compliance is identified and managed. CFIA may suspend certification procedures for countries requiring the present program, as deemed appropriate; until the operator can confirm that product presented for export certification is derived from animals raised in accordance with the requirements of this program. Should the products be exported prior to receiving the positive result, the importing country will be notified by CFIA of the non-compliant test result.

In the case of violative test results communicated by foreign officials to the CFIA (Port Of Entry Violation), a corrective action request (CAR) will be issued and a root cause analysis must be performed by the operator throughout the supply chain: findings must be then forwarded to the VIC of the exporting establishment, along with an action plan (action plan to contain corrective and preventive actions). This action plan shall be to the satisfaction of the CFIA VIC and the area export specialist before certification may resume.

4.3.1.4 Recordkeeping

Clear and comprehensive records must be kept and available for auditors on request for a minimum of two (2) years from the time meat is shipped.

4.3.2 Type B Slaughter Establishments

4.3.2.1 Program Enrolment Requirements

Operators of these slaughter establishments must develop, implement and maintain control programs covering the identification, traceability, cross-contamination, segregation, handling, packaging, employee training and any other relevant components of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program. The control program shall contain all key elements of a recognized Quality Control Program (e.g., written performance standards, deviation procedures, records, monitoring, verification procedures, annual review, etc.). Special consideration shall be made with respect to the prevention of exposure of live animals that were not fed with feed containing ractopamine with those that are not in the program.

The slaughter establishment's control program and the relevant up-to-date list of eligible farms, including the appropriate completed enrolment assessments, shall be presented to the CFIA VIC and regional veterinary officer for review and assessment, prior to approval.

Each slaughter establishment will be keeping an updated list of the enrolled farms containing the following information:

  • Production Unit Name/Farm Name
  • Facility Contact
  • Mailing Address
  • Telephone
  • Barn Identification
  • Farm Address/Physical Address (Legal land description)
  • Under which type was the finishing farm enrolled (Type A or B)
  • If the farm is enrolled under Type B: Date the negative result for testing was received
  • Date of delistment/relistment (when applicable)
  • Type (A or B) of Commercial Feed Facilities (Commercial Feed Mills and Feed Retail Outlets) from which feed for further manufacturing (e.g., premixes and supplements) is purchased
  • Date of enrolment
  • Is the farm an on-farm feed mill?

These individual lists will be accessible to CFIA inspectors and foreign auditors at each slaughter establishment.

4.3.2.2 Program Documentation

The operator shall have the signed agreements of turkey suppliers stating that the farm is certified under the TFC OFFSP and is meeting the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program requirements (Annex 2) and copies of the approved enrolment assessment (Annex 5) and annual on-farm assessment checklist (Annex 5.1).

The transporter is to present the Producer Affidavit (Annex 4) to the operator of the slaughter establishment prior to unloading the birds under this program. The Producer Affidavit provided with the first truckload will cover multiple truckloads unloaded at the same slaughter establishment on the same day. The Producer Affidavit must be made available upon request to the CFIA VIC.

The CFIA VIC/IIC must be notified in advance of the arrival time of a shipment of poultry under this program.

4.3.2.3 Program Randomized Statistical Testing

Birds produced under the present program are subject to randomized statistical testing. Bird testing requirements shall be based on the production volume of the slaughtering establishment. Poultry deadweight (tons) produced under the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program or the industry/government forecast for the upcoming year, divided by 400 tons, will provide the total number of bird tests required for the year per establishment. For example, if an establishment was to produce 4000 tons of poultry deadweight under the current Program, it would be required to sample 10 birds. The VIC/IIC at the slaughter establishment will determine a random sampling schedule by using a randomized calculation tool (e.g., www.randomizer.org). The VIC/IIC will provide the slaughter establishment the sampling coordinates: sampling shall be distributed throughout the fiscal year. The VIC/IIC shall report annual ractopamine random sampling forecasting for the current fiscal year, using Annex 9, by contacting the following email address: ractopaminedatabase@inspection.gc.ca. A portion of the randomized statistical testing will be targeted testing, which will be performed in the following percentage: 60% of the total annual sampling must target birds from farms which were supplied from Type B commercial feed mills.

Bird sampling and shipment of the samples will be performed by the operator under the CFIA supervision. Liver tissue will be sampled and the establishments must run the ractopamine testing at a frequency of every two months or less. The samples shall be sent to an accredited laboratory with a method for total ractopamine on its scope of accreditation, which is based on CFIA's reference method CVDR-M-3021.8. All laboratory results shall be sent immediately, simultaneously and directly to the plant and the CFIA VIC. The samples shall be sent to an approved laboratory and all laboratory results shall be sent immediately, simultaneously and directly to the plant and the CFIA VIC. The operator must convey instructions to their contracted laboratory for reporting test results to the CFIA, using Annex 8, by contacting the following email address: ractopaminedatabase@inspection.gc.ca.

If a sample is found positive for ractopamine, the operator shall implement corrective and preventive actions without delay to ensure product that is potentially in non-compliance is controlled, and that the root cause of the non-compliance is identified and managed. CFIA may suspend certification procedures for countries requiring the present program, as deemed appropriate; until the operator can confirm that product presented for export certification is derived from animals raised in accordance with the requirements of this program. Should the products be exported prior to receiving the positive result, the importing country will be notified by the CFIA of the non-compliant test result.

In the case of violative test results communicated by foreign officials to the CFIA (Port Of Entry Violation), a corrective action request (CAR) will be issued and a root cause analysis must be performed by the operator throughout the supply chain: findings must be then forwarded to the VIC of the exporting establishment, along with an action plan (action plan to contain corrective and preventive actions). This action plan shall be to the satisfaction of the CFIA VIC and the area export specialist before certification may resume.

4.3.2.4 Recordkeeping

Clear and comprehensive records must be kept and available for auditors on request for a minimum of two (2) years from the time meat is shipped.

4.4 Requirements Summary for Type A and Type B Slaughter Establishments

Requirements Type A slaughter establishment Type B slaughter establishment
Written Control Program Yes Yes
(with segregation requirements)
Segregation must be performed in cutting/processing sectors of the establishment, if applicable.
Agreement with the slaughter establishment (Annex 2) Yes Yes
Enrollment assessment (Annex 5) and up-dated list of enrolled farms Yes Yes
Annual on-farm assessment checklist (Annex 5.1) Yes Yes
Producer Affidavit (Annex 4) Yes Yes
Randomized statistical carcass testing Yes Yes
Statistical carcass testing of newly enrolled Type B farms Yes Yes
Reporting of results to CFIA and slaughter plant by contracted laboratories Yes Yes

5. Cutting Establishments

Operators of stand-alone cutting establishments must develop, implement and maintain adapted control programs covering the identification, traceability, segregation, handling, packaging, employee training and any other relevant components of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program. The control program shall contain all key elements of a recognized Quality Control Program (e.g., written performance standards, deviation procedures, records, monitoring, verification procedures, annual review, etc.).

Records shall be kept at minimum for two (2) years and shall be made available to auditors upon request.

The control program must be reviewed and assessed by the CFIA Inspector in Charge prior to approval.

6. Storage Establishments

These storage establishments shall identify products eligible for export to a country as per current export verification procedures (Meat Hygiene Manual of Procedures, Chapter 11).

Annex 1. CFIA Position on Eliminating Ractopamine from Feed Production Facilities

Although ractopamine is approved for use in specific livestock feeds manufactured in Canada, some trading partners are requesting foods of animal origin exported from Canada be certified as originating from animals that have never been treated with ractopamine.

With respect to the certification of poultry products as per the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program, two types of feed production facilities are envisioned:

  1. Facilities that do not handle ractopamine and/or manufacture feeds containing ractopamine (ractopamine-free facilities); and
  2. Facilities that manufacture feeds containing ractopamine and feeds that have been manufactured using a system of preventive controls (including sequencing and flushing) for the prevention of cross contamination with ractopamine.

The CFIA recognizes that some feed production facilities that have, in the past, manufactured feeds that contain ractopamine may wish to implement cleaning protocols that would allow them to be considered ractopamine-free facilities. In order for these production facilities to meet the requirements for ractopamine-free facilities under the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program and to certify to clients that their products do not contain ractopamine, production facilities will need to provide assurances:

  • that the ractopamine has been removed from their system; and
  • that the premise and equipment have been cleaned in a manner acceptable to the CFIA.

The objective of the clean-up is to ensure the premises, bins, equipment and conveyances are free from ractopamine or feed containing ractopamine.

The following protocol outlines the CFIA's considerations regarding the manner in which this can be acceptably accomplished. The use of other methodology to achieve similar outcomes will be considered. Any such proposals shall be submitted to the CFIA for endorsement prior to their being undertaken.

Approved protocols may also be applied in premises where ractopamine is accidentally or otherwise re-introduced into feed production facilities that had been considered ractopamine-free. In these cases, naturally, other actions are required in such cases (e.g., immediate notification of producers, investigation, and plan for corrective and preventive actions).

Verification

To maintain uniformity across all feed production facilities, the feed production facility must fully document clean-up. These documents shall be signed and dated by the Production Supervisor or designate.

Changeover to ractopamine-free facility status

Prior to being recognized as ractopamine-free, the feed production facility must demonstrate that all inventory has been cleared from the facility and an appropriate flush of the production system completed.

This shall include documentation that neither ractopamine nor medicated feeds containing ractopamine have been stored or used in the facility for a minimum of 10 days of full operation (must include at least one complete fill and empty for each of piece equipment in the production facility other than storage bins, compartments and conveyances). Additionally, the feed production facility must have documented records to demonstrate that all storage bins, compartments and conveyances have been emptied of all materials containing ractopamine and cleaned according to the following cleaning protocol.

Approved Cleaning Protocol

Feed Production System Flush

Documentation shall demonstrate that there has been no storage or handling of ractopamine and/or medicated feeds containing ractopamine in the facility for a minimum of 10 days of full operation (must include at least one complete fill and empty for each of piece equipment in the production facility other than storage bins, compartments and conveyances). Such documentation must identify all feeds and feed ingredients that have been processed through the system subsequent to the last use of ractopamine maintained by the facility for a minimum of two years and made available for review on request.

Clean-up of Storage Bins, Compartments and Conveyances

Visual Inspection

A visual inspection of each storage bin, compartment and conveyance will identify if there is accumulation of material that may contain residues of ractopamine:

Procedure

  1. If during the inspection a bin, compartment or conveyance is found to be in an unacceptable condition (e.g., hung up or bridged material or build-up on walls is present), the bin, compartment or conveyance must be thoroughly cleaned before being refilled.
  2. Personnel, using shovels, brooms, scrapers, air pressure, vibration, etc. and in accordance with confined space safe work procedures, will thoroughly clean the designated bin, compartment or conveyance. Clean-up procedures will be documented when completed. These documents shall be signed and dated by the Production Supervisor or designate.
  3. Documentation of clean-up inspections of storage bins, compartments and conveyances will be maintained by the facility for a minimum of two years and made available for review on request.

Where the documented evidence demonstrates that the above conditions have been met, the system will be deemed to have achieved adequate flush out of ractopamine. No additional validation step is considered necessary by the CFIA.

To maintain uniformity across all feed production facilities, the CFIA anticipates operators would employ the cleaning protocol detailed above. The use of other methodology that achieves similar outcomes will be considered. The feed production facility shall submit such proposals to the CFIA for endorsement prior to their being undertaken.

Annex 2. Agreement with slaughter plant to comply with the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program for the Farm Component

(Note: Example format for establishment use. This exact wording must be used.)

This agreement certifies that the farm:

space
Name and Address

is certified under the TFC OFFSP and meets the requirements of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program. Employees in charge of feed ordering and shipping poultry have read and understood the protocol and agree to participate in the production of poultry under this program. Appropriate records are maintained through all phases of production to provide traceability of the poultry to ensure the non-usage of ractopamine.

The farm was enrolled under the following conditions:

checkbox Type A turkey farm certified under the TFC OFFSP which can demonstrate that prior to enrolment under the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program, no turkeys were fed feed containing ractopamine for a full year.

checkbox Type B turkey farm certified under the TFC OFFSP where turkeys have been fed with feed containing ractopamine in the last 12 months but underwent the four (4) steps cleaning.

Records will be made available to auditors on-site upon request.

Owner or Farm Manager of the farm:

Name: space

Date: space

Signature: space

Slaughter Establishment Name and Address: space

Slaughter Establishment Manager: space

Name: space

Date: space

Signature: space

Annex 3. Letter of Guarantee for the Feed Component

(Note: Example format for establishment use. This exact wording must be used.)

Intended recipient of the feed and/or feed ingredient:

Name:
Address:
Phone Number:

Date:

This Letter of Guarantee certifies that:

Feed Facility Name
Address
Phone Number

is a Type space commercial feed facility (identify whether facility is Type A or B) that has appropriate procedures in place to ensure that all feed and feed ingredients delivered to your facility meet the requirements of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program.

All employees involved in manufacturing of feed have read and understood the protocol and agree to participate in the production of feed under this program. Appropriate records are maintained through all phases of production to provide traceability of the feed to ensure it has not been in contact with ractopamine.

Name: space

Position: space

Signature: space

Date: space

Annex 4. Producer Affidavit

(Note: Example only, for establishment use.)

Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program
Producer Affidavit

Farm Owner/Manager Name  
Farm Address  
Physical Location of Farm (if different than above)  
Processor Name / Establishment Number  
Shipment Date  

I, space, take direct control or full responsibility for the application of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program during the brooding, growing and finishing of this flock of turkeys. I confirm that the turkeys covered by this affidavit were not fed feed containing ractopamine hydrochloride at any stage of production, and were produced in accordance with the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program.

Description of Poultry
Flock or Lot Number Estimated Number of Turkeys Category/Sex Indicate if any feed provided to this flock was from a Type B Commercial Feed Mill
      Yes checkbox  No checkbox
      Yes checkbox  No checkbox
      Yes checkbox  No checkbox
      Yes checkbox  No checkbox
      Yes checkbox  No checkbox
      Yes checkbox  No checkbox

I certify that all statements made herein are true to the best of my knowledge.

Signature: space

Date: space

Print Name and Title: space

Warning: Persons willfully making false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or entries are subject to elimination from the program.

Annex 5. On-Site Enrollment Assessment Checklist (For Turkey Farms and On-Farm Feed Facilities)

(Note: Example format for establishment use. This exact wording must be used.)

Note: Enrollment to the Certification Program is based upon individual farms. All barns on this production site are covered by this checklist.

Date: space

Farm/Production Unit Name: space

Contact: space

Number of Grow-Out Barns: space

Grow-Out Barn Identification (s): space

Legal Land Description: space

Mailing Address: space

Barn Address: space

Telephone: space

Fax: space

On-Farm Feed Manufacturers Producing Feed That Does Not Contain Ractopamine:

  • checkbox Not applicable: this barn does not manufacture feed on-farm.
  • checkbox This mill/farm is part of a TFC OFFSP certified farm.
  • checkbox This mill/farm does not have any outstanding corrective actions related to the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program.
  • checkbox Ractopamine hydrochloride has not been used for a full year in this on-farm feed mill.
  • checkbox If ractopamine hydrochloride has been used in the past year, appropriate cleaning of the feed manufacturing area has been demonstrated, including records of clean-up in accordance with Annex 1 of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program.
  • checkbox The owner or person responsible for the production unit has obtained a Letter of Guarantee, issued within the past 12 months, from all Type A and B commercial feed facilities supplying feeds, including single ingredient feeds, mixed feeds for further manufacturing (e.g., premixes and supplements) and complete feeds to this farm confirming that the facility meets the requirements of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program.
  • checkbox The owner or person responsible for the production unit has shipping documents or invoices for each load of feed, received after enrolment in the Program, confirming that the feed being delivered has been made in accordance with the Program.
  • checkbox The farm has controls in place to ensure that feeds of unknown origin are not accepted.
  • checkbox Feed mixing and sequencing records are maintained and available for inspection on-site upon demand for a period of two (2) years from date of last distribution of a feed.
  • checkbox TFC OFFSP audit reports are maintained and available on-site for inspection upon demand for a period of two (2) years.

All Grow-Out Barns:

  • checkbox This farm is certified under the TFC OFFSP.
  • checkbox This farm does not have any outstanding corrective actions related to the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program.
  • checkbox The farm has obtained a Letter of Guarantee, issued within the past 12 months, from all Type A and B commercial feed facilities supplying feed, including single ingredient feeds, mixed feeds for further manufacturing (e.g., premixes and supplements) and complete feeds confirming that the facility meets the requirements of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program.
  • checkbox The farm has shipping documents or invoices for each load of feed, received after enrolment in the Program, confirming that the feed being delivered has been made in accordance with the Program.
  • checkbox Feed receiving records (manifests, invoices and tags) are maintained for a period of two (2) years and are available for review on-site.
  • checkbox The farm must have available TFC OFFSP records indicating that ractopamine has not been fed to the turkeys. TFC OFFSP records must be available to foreign, internal or CFIA auditors upon request for a minimum of two (2) years from the time a turkey flock enters the farm.
  • checkbox TFC OFFSP audit reports are maintained on file for a period of at least two (2) years and are available on-site for review upon request by CFIA, foreign or other program auditors.

Type A Turkey Farm – Farms keeping turkeys that are not fed with feed containing ractopamine.

  • checkbox This farm is able to demonstrate that, prior to enrolment under the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program, turkeys fed with feed containing ractopamine have not been kept in the past year.
  • checkbox TFC OFFSP records supporting these conditions are available on-site for program assessment or audits.

Type B Turkey Farm – For farms that have, in the past, kept turkeys fed with feed containing ractopamine. This applies to farms that have raised turkeys fed with feed containing ractopamine in the last 12 months and have implemented cleaning procedures prior to introducing eligible birds.

  • checkbox All barns on this farm have undergone a complete cleaning prior to introducing turkeys to be raised under the ractopamine-free program.
  • checkbox This facility has performed a complete cleaning of the feed distribution system as per Annex 1 of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program.
  • checkbox All barns and equipment that may have been exposed to feed containing ractopamine or birds fed with ractopamine have been cleaned.
  • checkbox Cleaning records are available on-site.

This farm has successfully passed the enrollment assessment and meets the requirements of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program and the farm's coordinates may be added to the list of enrolled farms kept at the slaughter establishment.Footnote 8

This farm may now sign an agreement with the slaughter establishment as meeting the requirements under this program.

Please note that Type B farm enrollment and approval under the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program is conditional to one carcass sample from the first lot of animals testing negative at the slaughter establishment for the presence of ractopamine.

space
(External Assessor Signature)

space
(External Assessor Printed Name)

space
(Date)

space
(Owner or Person in Charge Signature)

space
(Owner or Person in Charge Printed name)

space
(Date)

Annex 5.1 On-Farm Assessment Checklist (For Turkey Farms and On-Farm Feed Facilities)

(Note: Example format for establishment use. This exact wording must be used.)

Note: Enrollment to the Certification Program is based upon individual farms. All barns on this production site are covered by this checklist.

Date: space

Farm/Production Unit Name: space

Contact: space

Number of Grow-Out Barns: space

Grow-Out Barn Identification (s): space

Legal Land Description: space

Mailing Address: space

Barn Address: space

Telephone: space

Fax: space

On-farm feed manufacturers producing feed that does not contain ractopamine:

  • checkbox Not applicable; this farm does not manufacture feed on-farm.
  • checkbox This mill/farm is part of a TFC OFFSP certified farm.
  • checkbox This mill/farm does not have any outstanding corrective actions related to the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program.
  • checkbox Ractopamine hydrochloride has not been used for a full year in this on-farm feed mill.
  • checkbox If ractopamine hydrochloride has been used in the past year, appropriate cleaning of the feed manufacturing area has been demonstrated, including records of clean-up in accordance with Annex 1 of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program.
  • checkbox The owner or person responsible for the production unit has obtained a Letter of Guarantee, issued within the past 12 months, from all Type A and B commercial feed facilities supplying feeds, including single ingredient feeds, mixed feeds for further manufacturing (e.g., premixes and supplements) and complete feeds to this farm confirming that the facility meets the requirements of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program.
  • checkbox The owner or person responsible for the production unit has shipping documents or invoices for each load of feed, received after enrolment in the Program, confirming that the feed being delivered has been made in accordance with the Program.
  • checkbox The farm has controls in place to ensure that feeds of unknown origin are not accepted.
  • checkbox Feed mixing and sequencing records are maintained and available for inspection on-site upon demand for a period of two (2) years from date of last distribution of a feed.
  • checkbox TFC OFFSP audit reports are maintained and available on-site for inspection upon demand for a period of two (2) years.
  • checkbox An on-site examination of this mill/production unit has been performed (if applicable).

All Grow-Out Barns:

  • checkbox This farm is certified under the TFC OFFSP.
  • checkbox This farm does not have any outstanding corrective actions related to the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program.
  • checkbox This farm has a signed agreement with the slaughter plant stating that the farm meets the requirements of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program.
  • checkbox The farm has obtained a Letter of Guarantee, issued within the past 12 months, from all Type A and B commercial feed facilities supplying feed, including single ingredient feeds, mixed feeds for further manufacturing (e.g., premixes and supplements) and complete feeds confirming that the facility meets the requirements of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program.
  • checkbox The farm has shipping documents or invoices for each load of feed, received after enrolment in the Program, confirming that the feed being delivered has been made in accordance with the Program.
  • checkbox Feed receiving records (manifests, invoices and tags) are maintained for a period of two (2) years and are available for review on-site.
  • checkbox The farm has available TFC OFFSP records indicating that ractopamine has not been fed to the turkeys. TFC OFFSP records must be available to foreign, internal or CFIA auditors upon request for a minimum of two (2) years from the time a turkey flock enters the farm.
  • checkbox TFC OFFSP audit reports are maintained on file for a period of at least two (2) years and are available on-site for review upon request by CFIA, foreign or other program auditors.
  • checkbox A completed and signed Producer Affidavit stating that turkeys have not been fed feed containing ractopamine hydrochloride and were produced in accordance with the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program has been provided to the slaughter establishment for each flock of turkeys shipped from this farm.
  • checkbox Records of each flock of turkeys shipped from this farm are maintained on file for a period of at least two (2) years and are available on-site for review upon request by CFIA, foreign or other program auditors.
  • checkbox An on-site examination of this mill/production unit has been performed (if applicable).

Audit Results

Option 1 – Adherence Without Corrective Actions

checkbox This farm has demonstrated adherence to the requirements of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program requirements and the farm's coordinates may continue to be identified on the list of enrolled farms kept at the slaughter establishment.

space
(TFC OFFSP Auditor Signature)

space
(TFC OFFSP Auditor Printed Name)

space
(Date)

Option 2 – Adherence With Corrective Actions

checkbox The following deviation(s) from the items listed above were identified on this farm at the time of the assessment:
space
space

checkbox Corrective actions were completed within 14 days after the date of the assessment audit; or, prior to the next flock from this farm being shipped to the slaughter establishment (whichever comes first), and completion was verified. List corrective actions and date of verification:
space
space

checkbox This farm has corrected the identified deviation(s) in an effective manner and demonstrated adherence to the requirements of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program requirements and the farm's coordinates may continue to be identified on the list of enrolled farms kept at the slaughter establishment.

space
(TFC OFFSP Auditor Signature)

space
(TFC OFFSP Auditor Printed Name)

space
(Date)

Option 3 – Non-Adherence

checkbox The following deviation(s) from the items listed above were identified on this farm at the time of the assessment:
space
space

checkbox Corrective actions were not completed within 14 days after the date of the assessment audit; or, prior to the next flock from this farm being shipped to the slaughter establishment (whichever comes first).

checkbox This farm has not demonstrated adherence to the requirements of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program requirements and the farm's coordinates should be removed from the list of enrolled farms kept at the slaughter establishment.Footnote 9

space
(TFC OFFSP Auditor Signature)

space
(TFC OFFSP Auditor Printed Name)

space
(Date)

Annex 6. Audit Checklist For Commercial Feed Facility

(Note: Example format for establishment use. This exact wording must be used.)

Date: space

Feed Facility Name: space

Person in Charge at This Facility: space

Address: space

Telephone: space

Audit Type:

  • checkbox Internal Audit
  • checkbox Third Party Audit

Type A Commercial Feed Facilities

General

  • checkbox Ractopamine is not used by the facility in any of its activities (including trucking, manufacturing and retail).
  • checkbox Ractopamine has never been used by the facility or the facility has followed the proper cleanout procedures to become Type A (see Annex 1 of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program).
  • checkbox The facility has controls in place to ensure that feeds of unknown origin are not accepted.
  • checkbox The facility provides a Letter of Guarantee every 12 months to all producers and commercial feed facilities participating in this program to confirm that the feed they are delivering has been made in accordance with the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program.
  • checkbox The facility includes a statement on the shipping documents or invoice that accompanies the delivery that each load of feed shipped to facilities enrolled on the Program has been made in accordance with the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program.
  • checkbox Labels for feeds sold by the facility do not include unapproved claims related to absence of ractopamine and/or participation in Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program.
  • checkbox The facility has effective recall procedures in place.

Incoming Ingredients

  • checkbox Single ingredients provided by other commercial feed facilities
    • checkbox The facility has a Letter of Guarantee, issued within the past 12 months, provided by each Type A and Type B commercial feed facility from which they purchase single ingredients confirming that the facility meets the requirements of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program.
  • checkbox Mixed feeds (example: premixes and supplements)
    • checkbox The facility has a Letter of Guarantee, issued within the past 12 months, provided by each Type A and Type B commercial feed facility from which they purchase mixed feeds for further manufacturing confirming that the facility meets the requirements of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program.

Record Keeping

  • checkbox The facility maintains the following records for a minimum period of two years:
    • checkbox Documentation of clean-out of the facility in accordance with Annex 1 (if applicable)
    • checkbox Receiving records
    • checkbox Letters of guarantee from suppliers
    • checkbox Mixing formula and mixing sheets
    • checkbox Feed labels
    • checkbox Copies of letters of guarantee provided to customers enrolled on the Program (commercial feed facilities and farms)
    • checkbox Distribution records (including who the feed was shipped to and the amount delivered)

Type B Commercial Feed Facilities

General

  • checkbox The facility holds a valid HACCP certification by a third party.
  • checkbox The facility has controls in place to ensure that feeds of unknown origin are not accepted.
  • checkbox The facility provides a Letter of Guarantee every 12 months to all producers and commercial feed facilities participating in this program to confirm that the feed they are delivering has been made in accordance with the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program.
  • checkbox The facility includes a statement on the shipping documents or invoice that accompanies the delivery that each load of feed shipped to facilities enrolled on the Program has been made in accordance with the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program.
  • checkbox Labels for feeds sold by the facility do not include unapproved claims related to absence of ractopamine and/or participation in Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program.
  • checkbox The facility has effective recall procedures in place.

Incoming Ingredients

  • checkbox Single ingredients provided by other commercial feed facilities
    • checkbox The facility has a Letter of Guarantee, issued within the past 12 months, provided by each Type A and B commercial feed facility from which they purchase mixed feeds for further manufacturing confirming that the facility meets the requirements of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program.
  • checkbox Mixed feeds (example: premixes and supplements)
    • checkbox The facility has a Letter of Guarantee, issued within the past 12 months, provided by each Type A and B commercial feed facility from which they purchase mixed feeds for further manufacturing confirming that the facility meets the requirements of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program.

Production Controls (Sequencing and Flushing)

  • checkbox Procedures are in place to ensure that feed being manufactured under the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program is never manufactured after feed containing ractopamine without employing cleaning procedures to prevent carryover.
  • checkbox Procedures are in place to ensure that when feed being manufactured under the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program cannot be sequenced, a flush or other cleaning procedure is conducted in accordance with written procedures and noted on production documents.
  • checkbox The facility must have a flush validation for all their production lines where feed under this program will be manufactured.
    • The initial amount of tracer material used in the flush validation must be at least 30x higher than the detection limit (e.g., if tracer can be detected at 1ppm, the amount of tracer required in initial batch would be at least 30ppm).
  • checkbox Ractopamine inventory reconciliation including ractopamine and incoming mixed feeds containing ractopamine is conducted daily. If a discrepancy is found, an investigation into the cause is conducted immediately and the appropriate measures to ensure feed produced under the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program is not compromised must be taken.

Record Keeping

  • checkbox The facility maintains the following records for a minimum period of two years:
    • checkbox Receiving records
    • checkbox Letters of guarantee from suppliers
    • checkbox Inventory records
    • checkbox Mixing formula and mixing sheets
    • checkbox Feed manufacturing records including sequencing and flushing
    • checkbox Flush validation records
    • checkbox Feed labels
    • checkbox Copies of letters of guarantee provided to customers enrolled on the Program (commercial feed facilities and farms)
    • checkbox Distribution records (including who the feed was shipped to and the amount delivered)

Audit Result Summary

Audit Type

  • checkbox External Audit
  • checkbox Internal Audit

The following is a summary of the audit conducted on space
(Insert Date)

Option 1 – Adherence without Corrective Actions

  • checkbox This facility has demonstrated adherence to the requirements of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program and the facility may continue to be identified on the list of enrolled commercial feed facilities maintained by the CFIA as a Type (Insert A or B) space to insert name Commercial Feed Facility.

space
(Auditor Signature)

space
(Auditor Printed Name)

space
(Date)

Option 2 – Adherence with Corrective Actions

  • checkbox The following deviation(s) from the items listed above were identified at this facility at the time of the audit:
    space
    space
    space
  • checkbox Corrective actions were completed within 14 days after the date of the audit and completion was verified.
  • checkboxThis facility has corrected the identified deviation(s) in an effective manner and demonstrated adherence to the requirements of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program requirements and the facility may continue to be identified on the list of enrolled commercial feed facilities maintained by the CFIA as a Type (Insert A or B) space to insert name Commercial Feed Facility.

space to insert name
(Auditor Signature)

space to insert name
(Auditor Printed Name)

space to insert name
(Date)

Option 3 – Non-Adherence

  • checkbox The following deviation(s) from the items listed above were identified at this facility at the time of the audit:
    space
    space
    space
  • checkbox Corrective actions were not completed within 14 days after the date of the audit.
  • checkbox This facility has not demonstrated adherence to the requirements of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program requirements (e.g., deviations from Program requirements were identified that result in the introduction or likely introduction of ractopamine in a feed manufactured for a customer enrolled on the Program) and the facility's name should be removed from the list of enrolled commercial feed facilities maintained by the CFIA.

space to insert name
(Auditor Signature)

space to insert name
(Auditor Printed Name)

space to insert name
(Date)

Annex 7. Request for Enrolment in the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program for Commercial Feed Facility

(Note: Example format for establishment use. This exact wording must be used.)

Date: space to insert name

Facility Name: space to insert name

CFIA Facility Code (from CFIA Verification Report): space to insert name

Facility Contact: space to insert name

Facility Identification

Physical Address: space to insert name

Mailing Address: space to insert name

Telephone: space to insert name

Fax: space to insert name

Email: space to insert name

This facility has successfully implemented the necessary controls and meets the requirements of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program as of (Insert Date) space to insert name.

The feed facility meets the requirements to be considered as a (select the applicable Type using the checklist below):

Checklist to determine Ractopamine-Free Feed Facility Type
Feed Facility Type Feed Mill Feed Retail Outlet
Type A (Dedicated) Facility checkbox checkbox
Type A (Dedicated) Facility after clean-out in accordance with Annex 1 on (Insert Date) space to insert name checkbox checkbox
Type B (Mixed) Facility checkbox checkbox

space to insert name
(Printed Name of Facility Representative)

space to insert name
(Signature of Facility Representative)

space to insert name
(Date)

To be submitted to the Animal Feed Division of the CFIA - Attention Nick Tremblay

Annex 8. Ractopamine National Database – Ractopamine Carcass Testing Under the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program

(Note: Example format for establishment use. This exact wording must be used.)

(Please submit all results to the Ractopamine National DatabaseFootnote 10 in Excel format – PDF formats will not be processed.)

Ractopamine Carcass Testing Under the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program
Laboratory
Name, City, Province		 Registered Establishment Number Laboratory
Sample ID		 Date Sampled
YYYY/MM/DD		 Date Reported to CFIA YYYY/MM/DD Screening Method Limit of Detection (ug/kg) Annual Random Statistical Sampling Table Note 11 Level Detected (ug/kg)

Table Notes

Table Note 11

If Annual random sampling please indicate 1.

If Annual random sampling (enrolment of a finishing barn: testing from first lot of animals) please indicate 2.

Return to table note 11  referrer

Annex 9. Ractopamine National Database – Annual Ractopamine Random Sampling Forecasting Under the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program

(Note: Example format for establishment use. This exact wording must be used.)

Annual Ractopamine Random Sampling Forecasting Under the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program
Establishment Number Fiscal Year YYYY-YYYY Number of Poultry Slaughtered in the Last Year Under the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program Number of Poultry Forecasted to be Slaughtered for the Upcoming Year Under the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Poultry Certification Program Table Note 12 Number of Samples Required to be Taken in the Next Fiscal Year

Table Notes

Table Note 12

Please choose only one column for the calculation of samples.

Return to table note 12  referrer

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