Canada #5591 (v.1)

Import permit system for live terrestrial and aquatic animals, animal and aquatic animal products, animal by-products, aquatic animal carcasses, parts of carcasses and offal, animal pathogens, and other things.

Health of Animals Act (S.C. 1990, c. 21) and the Health of Animals Regulations (C.R.C., c. 296)

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

The permit to import ensures that live terrestrial and aquatic animals, animal and aquatic animal products, animal by-products, aquatic animal carcasses, parts of carcasses and offal, animal pathogens, and other things are imported in conformity with Canada's sanitary health regulations to protect against the introduction of diseases into or spread within Canada. Decisions are made following a risk analysis and risk assessment process.

The value of imports is not restricted by import permits. For single entry permits a finite quantity may be stipulated in the permit and this quantity may not be exceeded. For multi entry permits this is no restriction on the quantity that may be imported.

For terrestrial animals (both live animals and products/by-products): Imports are generally permitted only from countries which are recognized by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as free of serious animal diseases which may affect the species of animal imported, or which could be spread to Canada by fomites or contaminated bedding/packaging/feed, etc. However, certain commodities may be imported from countries that are not free of these diseases with certain protective measures in place, for example under an import permit if they have been quarantined, tested, treated or processed to make sure the disease is not present or it has been eliminated. Imports may also be restricted on behalf of other government agencies when there is concern about a disease which may be transmitted to people or other species.

For aquatic animals: Imports are permitted only from countries with which a zoosanitary certificate has been negotiated based on an evaluation of their aquatic animal health regulatory system. Imports of aquatic animals and their products may be permitted without a zoosanitary certificate only from shared waters with the US that have been established as having the same health status for diseases of concern and are intended for certain end uses.

For animal pathogens: Imports may be permitted into containment laboratories certified and approved by the Government of Canada to appropriately handle the risks associated with the pathogen and/or the animal product or by-product associated with the animal pathogen. Animal pathogens in an animal product or by-product are subject to the same restrictions as indicated above - imports may be restricted from countries not recognized by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as free of serious animal diseases. Under certain circumstances imports may be permitted if treated or processed to eliminate the disease.

If there is interest in importing a new commodity for which established import conditions do not exist, or from a country which has not been previously assessed by Canada, an Animal Health Risk Assessment (AHRA) may be conducted which is a science-based risk evaluation. If supported by the outcome of the AHRA, the commodity may be imported.

The National Centre for Permissions (NCP) (formerly the Centre of Administration) of the CFIA delivers and coordinates the full range of operational administrative services required for import related permissions under this section (http://inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/permits-licences-and-approvals/eng/1395348112901/1395348237219).

For the most up to date information and additional details on CFIA import requirements, please refer to the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) at: http://www. inspection.gc.ca/english/imp/airse.shtml

HS 2017

G/LIC/N/3/CAN/18