Farmers have stepped up biosecurity as the current strain of avian influenza is more transmissible than other outbreaks.

H5 avian influenza found in Ontario poultry flock

H5 avian influenza has been confirmed on an Ontario premise in the Municipality of Strathroy-Cardoc. The presence of the virus was confirmed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Dec. 16. The infected premise has been placed under quarantine. CFIA will also be establishing specific movement control measures and permitting processes for farms within the […] Read more

(Toa55/iStock/Getty Images)

Canada expands bird flu surveillance in dairy cattle

Government issues requirements for testing bird flu in dairy cattle and milk

The Government of Canada and stakeholders are taking new precautions to help prevent the emergence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Canadian dairy cattle. Late last week, the feds announced intentions to expand its avian flu surveillance by: -Requiring negative HPAI test results for lactating dairy cattle being imported from the United States to […] Read more

Keith Currie, left, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Jennifer Babcock, government and public affairs for the Canadian Cattle Association, Jan VanderHout, president of the Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada, Rick White, president the Canadian Canola Growers Association and Kyle Larking, executive director of Grain Growers of Canada, listen as Kody Blois, chair of the House Commons agriculture committee, talks about his new private member’s bill at an Oct. 19 news conference.

Liberal MP introduces pathway for quicker regulatory approval

Seed, feed and pest control legislation would be amended to allow faster approval of products from other countries

Glacier FarmMedia – Kody Blois, Liberal MP and chair of the House of Commons’ agriculture committee, recently introduced a bill to make it easier for seed, feed and crop protection products to move into Canada. Private member’s Bill C-359 would amend the Seeds Act, Feeds Act and Pest Control Products Act to provide a 90-day […] Read more

(Shadowinternet/E+/Getty Images)

ASF compartmentalization moves a step forward

Plan not an attempt to download responsibilities, CFIA says

Canada is one step closer to a compartmentalizing regime that hog farmers and the rest of the industry hope protects them against market impacts of African swine fever. Practical application can be developed now that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has released its National Standards and National Framework for the Canadian ASF Compartment Program. From […] Read more

(TDTT/iStock/Getty Images)

Seed regulation consultation results released

CFIA 'anticipates' more consultations this winter

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is getting closer to updating its seed regulations. On Monday, the agency released a “What We Heard” report summarizing the responses of 315 individuals and groups who participated in an online survey from Feb. 15 to May 1. The CFIA is looking to update seed regulations to “reduce complexity, protect […] Read more


File photo of grilled pork intestine on skewers at a street food stall in the Philippines. (Junpinzon/iStock/Getty Images)

Philippines to host Canada’s Indo-Pacific ag office

AAFC/CFIA base to be set up in Manila, Bibeau says

Canada’s agriculture department and food safety agency will carry out their part of the federal government’s Indo-Pacific strategy from a new office in Manila, Philippines. Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced the office’s location Wednesday in Ottawa during a meeting with the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA), which represents Canada’s export-dependent ag commodity groups on […] Read more

Some affected livestock groups are already making moves in anticipation of the new rules.

CFIA seeks feedback on traceability, animal ID amendments

Producers have until June 16 to comment on proposals

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is seeking comment on its proposed amendments to livestock identification and traceability regulations. The regulatory proposal would address what the agency calls “gaps” in the current system, including: CFIA is asking producers who own sheep, goats, pigs, cattle, bison or farmed cervids or are involved with livestock production or handling, […] Read more

File photo of goats on display at the Hanover Agricultural Fair in Grunthal, Man. in August 2019. (Dave Bedard photo)

CFIA seeks feedback on traceability, animal ID amendments

Producers have until June 16 to comment on proposals

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is now seeking comment on its proposed amendments to livestock identification and traceability regulations. The regulatory proposal would address what the agency calls “gaps” in the current system, including: adding goats and cervids as animal species that share diseases with other regulated livestock, and therefore subject to traceability requirements, shortening […] Read more


Stefanie Beck (DND photo) and Dr. Harpreet Kochhar (Uoguelph.ca).

Feds appoint new deputy ag minister, CFIA chief

Eleven senior civil servants shuffled

Canada’s government has lined up a new federal deputy minister for agriculture and a new president for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, both to take office later this month. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday announced a shuffle in the top ranks of the public service involving 11 senior managers following four recent retirements. Associate […] Read more

Kochhar named new CFIA president

Dr. Harpreet S. Kochhar has been named as president of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) effective Feb. 27, 2023. The former CFIA president, Dr. Siddika Mithani, retired on Jan. 20 in what officials say was a planned exit. However Mithani’s leadership was called into question by an October 2022 letter to Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister […] Read more