Regulatory Oversight
Animal Feed is a Regulated Industry
The feed industry in Canada is governed primarily by the Feeds Act and the Feeds Regulations. The Animal Feed Division, Animal Health Directorate, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for administration of the Feeds Act and any other regulatory provisions that are delegated to it, such as the feed-related portions of the Health of Animals Regulations and the Food and Drugs Regulations. The Animal Feed Division also registers feeds and feed ingredients, develops feed-related policies, and manages publications such as the Compendium of Medicating Ingredient Brochures and Trade Memoranda.
Locally-based CFIA inspectors across Canada have enforcement authority. Feed manufacturing facilities are inspected routinely, using the following inspection tools:
January 2010: Commercial Feed Mill Verification Task Procedures (PDF)
January 2010: On Farm Feed Mill Verification Task Procedures (PDF)
January 2010: Retail Inspection Form (PDF)
CFIA Contacts
Primary Legislation Affecting Animal Feed
Feeds Act & Regulations: Controls and regulates the sale of feeds in Canada.
Feed manufacturers must meet technical and nutrient standards for both the ingredients and the manufactured products that are offered for sale. The Feeds Regulations also apply to livestock producers who mix medicated feeds on-farm and to those that sell to other producers. Only feeds for beef and dairy cattle, swine, poultry, sheep, goats, rabbits, horses, fish, mink and fox are governed by this Act. The Feeds Regulations primarily deal with four major activities: 1) registration of feeds, 2) product standards and guaranteed analysis, 3) packaging and labelling, and 4) sampling, analysis and enforcement. Any ingredient mixed into an animal feed for sale in Canada must have first been approved for use by the Feed Section. Approved ingredients are listed in Schedules IV and V of the Feeds Regulations.
Health of Animals Act & Regulations: Prevents the introduction of animal diseases into Canada.
The Regulations were amended in August 1997 in response to the BSE situation in Europe and the possible transfer of infectious TSE diseases via feedstuffs. The amendment prohibits the feeding of specific mammalian proteins to ruminants. A second amendment was made in July 2006 to accelerate the eradication of BSE in the Canadian cattle herd, which made its first appearance in May 2003.
Food and Drug Act & Regulations: Controls the sale of all foods and drugs for humans and animals, with emphasis on safety, effectiveness and quality.
Within the feed industry the principle impact is on the review and clearance of medications administered to animals in their feed and drinking water. It is administered by Health Canada, however most of the responsibilities for inspection and much of the control of medicated feed is the responsibility of the CFIA.
Weights and Measures Act & Regulations: Applies to all trading goods in Canada, including feed and feed ingredients.
Inspectors from Industry Canada are responsible for checking scales used to measure goods for sale, from gram scales to truck scales. Inspectors are also responsible for verifying the net content of packages against the amounts claimed on labels.
