Consultation and Webinars on the Proposed Feeds Regulations, 2022

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) published in Canada Gazette Part 1, Vol 155, June 12, 2021 consultations on the Feeds Regulations 2022 and is open for comments and input for 90 days and closes September 10, 2021. The Feeds Regulations, 1983 have become outdated. As part of the process to modernize the feed regulations, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is seeking feedback on proposed changes to the Feeds Regulations, 1983. The current framework requirements apply mostly to products (e.g. registration, standards and labelling), with few or no requirements that apply to processes (e.g. manufacturing standards and record keeping).

The amendments to the Feeds Regulations, 1983 are required to establish a more robust feed framework that would include hazard identification, preventive controls, traceability, increased record-keeping requirements and licensing. This would enable the CFIA and regulated sectors to better understand and manage risks that livestock feeds pose to human, animal and plant health and the environment. In addition, this would allow the proposed Regulations to align with international frameworks and best practices.

The proposed Regulations would apply to feed ingredient and mixed feed manufacturers, feed retailers and distributors, feed importers and exporters, as well as on-farm feed manufacturers that sell off the farm or incorporate any drug or other substance that presents a risk of harm to human or animal health or the environment into their feeds.

The regulatory proposal represents a comprehensive review of the current regulatory framework and would result in a range of updated or new requirements for feeds and the regulated parties involved in their production and commerce. The scope of the framework would apply to the domestic supply chain as well as to feeds being imported and exported.

The proposed changes would require feed manufacturers to develop plans to prevent and control potential hazards in livestock feed; introduce licensing requirements for feed sold between provinces, exported and imported for sale; allow faster, easier updates to safety standards based on the latest science; be better aligned with international partners; be based on outcomes, instead of prescriptive requirements that become easily outdated as science and technology change; and reduce the number of feeds that require registration.

These proposed amendments would repeal and replace the Feeds Regulations, 1983 of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Minimizing the health risks for livestock and Canadians associated with livestock feeds manufactured in or imported into Canada is one of the principals anticipated outcomes of the proposal. Feed operators would be required to conduct hazard identification and put in place preventive controls to address risks posed by the identified hazards.

The proposed Feeds Regulations, 2022 were also identified as a priority under the Government’s targeted Regulatory Review Roadmap and 2018 Fall Economic Statement.

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Information and Resources
Feed regulatory modernization
Forward Regulatory Plan: 2021 to 2023 Amendments to the Feeds Regulations (Feeds Regulations, 2022)
Proposed changes to the Feeds Regulations
Read the proposed documents incorporated by reference

Read the fact sheets and guidance documents to better understand the proposed regulations

How to comment on proposed regulations

Contact usIf you have any questions about this consultation, please send an email to the Animal Feed and Veterinary Biologics Division.