Food Safety Systems on the Farm

In this section:

Protecting the Breeding Herd
The Canadian Cattle Identification System
Residue Testing Program
Cattle Feed Safety System
Animal Disease Surveillance
Animal Transport

Protecting the Breeding Herd

The health of Canada’s breeding herd is protected by controls on importation of livestock genetics. The Animal Health and Production Division of the CFIA determines if importation of animals, embryos or semen will be permitted based on a detailed assessment, including a review of the exporting country’s animal health status. Canada maintains programs for point-of-entry inspection and quarantine as well as foreign animal disease (FAD) testing at the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease.

The Canadian Cattle Identification System

Calves are uniquely identified by a mandatory Canadian Cattle Identification Agency radio frequency identification (RFID) ear tag. Under the National Cattle Identification System which is enforced by the CFIA, each animal must have an ear tag approved by the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) and encoded with a unique identification number when leaving its original herd. These tags are combined with an Internet database to enable rapid and accurate animal identification.

The National Cattle Identification System enhances animal health by supporting the containment and eradication of animal disease through its trace back capabilities. Due to strong industry and government support, the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency has become a global leader in animal identification.

Residue Testing Program

Animal health is monitored on the farm and the use of medications to treat illness in cattle is strictly regulated and monitored by Canada’s National Chemical Residue Monitoring Program. This program tests samples of beef fat, muscle tissue and internal organs for chemical residues. Testing is performed for veterinary drugs as well other agricultural and industrial chemicals. Any finding of chemical residues is evaluated to determine if there is a violation of Canadian maximum residue limits (MRLs) which are enforced under the Canadian Food and Drugs Act. In the very rare event that a violation is found, an investigation is conducted and further compliance testing is performed.

Cattle Feed Safety System

In Canada, the ingredients of commercial feed are evaluated and approved by the CFIA’s Feed Section. Laboratory testing is conducted to monitor feed for chemical or microbiological hazards, and feed production facilities are audited by government inspectors.

The program includes evaluation by Feed Section personnel of products before sale, as well as post-market inspection and monitoring by CFIA field staff located throughout Canada. The Animal Nutrition Association of Canada, as the national industry group representing commercial feed manufacturers, has developed the Feed AssureTM program which requires feed companies to manufacture according to HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) principals, verified through external third-party audits. Today, over 70% of commercial livestock feed is manufactured in feed mills that are HACCP certified under the Feed AssureTM program (visit www.feedassure.com for more information).

Animal Disease Surveillance

The CFIA Animal Disease Surveillance Unit works to detect and respond to potentially emerging animal diseases. Through the formation of a nationwide network, the disease detection capabilities of Canada’s veterinarians, provincial and university diagnostic laboratories and the federal government are combined. Canada communicates the results of its surveillance for reportable diseases to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

Animal Transport

Under the Health of Animals Regulations, the CFIA has the legal authority to monitor the transport of animals to ensure that stress to the animal is minimized. Careful transport prevents injury or illness in the animal and has been shown to enhance the microbiological condition of the beef and its eating quality.

Food safety controls are embedded throughout the feed manufacturing process – from the procurement of ingredients to delivery of the final feed product.
Animal Nutrition Association of Canada

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