“The desired outcome is that all animals are tagged at the site or before they leave…”

Traceability updates create concerns

Livestock Markets Association of Canada asks CFIA for producer education on changes

Livestock producers want more details and training on proposed changes to Canada’s national livestock traceability rules so they can ensure they meet requirements. Why it matters: Changes to the Health of Animals Regulations (Identification and Traceability) can have far-reaching effects on livestock business operations. Rick Wright, chair of the Livestock Markets Association of Canada, told […] Read more

Over the past decade traceability has gradually expanded to include more livestock sectors and new regulations expand it further to goats and farmed cervids.

CFIA hears concerns about new traceability reporting times

Proposed regulations will bring goats, farmed deer and elk under traceability

Results from an online consultation on livestock traceability show there’s widespread support for tracking farm animals, but there are concerns with tighter timelines for reporting and tag retention. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency held the consultations from March to June 2023, and recently released a summary of the 1,299 comments received from 778 submitters. Why […] Read more

(Gloria Solano-Aguilar photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

PigTrace tag prices go up Dec. 15

Program costs 'unsustainable' without price increase

One of the prices producers pay for hog traceability will be going up 10 per cent. The Manitoba Pork Council said in a notice to producers Wednesday that the Canadian Pork Council will apply a 10 per cent increase to the prices of PigTrace ear tags and accessories, effective Dec. 15. Table: PigTrace ear tag […] Read more


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

Fairs, exhibitions concerned over new traceability proposals

Event volunteers may lack skills needed, association says

The Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions (CAFE) says proposed federal regulations regarding livestock traceability are putting animal events across the country at risk. Their concerns centre around new directives centred around moving and tagging which they say would affect Canada’s 5,000 fairs, rodeos and other events. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has proposed that […] 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


The new program is a centralized system for Canadian sheep traceability.

New traceability program soon to be available for Canadian sheep farmers

Program aims to help improve flock management and information availability

The Canadian Sheep Federation’s (CSF) AgroLedger, a digital traceability program, is launching a pilot program for early adopters before its sector-wide release.  The CFS-funded program will be made available at no cost to Canadian sheep producers to bring them in line with future government regulatory amendments, which close the loop on full traceability. Why it […] Read more

tractor seeding a crop

Network supports agricultural automation innovation

CAAIN funds ‘plant to pint’ traceability project

The first “plant to pint” commercial traceability system using blockchain technology was recently unveiled in Canada.  Grain Discovery can capture every input, movement, process and touchpoint from multiple sources into a shared digital ledger that follows the barley plant from the field to its eventual appearance as beer in a pint glass.  The innovative Ontario […] Read more