New Regulatory Requirements: Aquatic Animals including Seafood Imports

Canadian Food Inspection Agency Jul 03, 2012

On December 10, 2011, changes to the Health of Animals Regulations (read more here) came into force with respect to aquatic animals (finfish, molluscs and crustaceans) being imported into Canada. These regulations are designed to help protect Canadian aquatic resources from the introduction and spread of serious infectious diseases, and support domestic and international market access for Canadian fish and seafood through health certification. These regulatory changes require anyone wishing to bring in aquatic animals listed in Schedule III of the Health of Animals Regulations to obtain a permit from the CFIA before their entry into Canada.

Seafood importers who bring in live clams, oysters, etc should take note to ensure their imports are not restricted after December 2012.

Import permits must be obtained for live susceptible species of aquatic animals (read more here) their products arriving in Canada by land, sea or air. The requirement for import permits came into effect on December 10, 2011, however, a Stream of Commerce Policy has been implemented until December 10, 2012, during which the requirement for the import permit will not be enforced.

It is important to note that these regulatory changes are specific only to those species listed in Schedule III of the regulations and certain commodities of those species listed in the Schedule III will not require a permit from the CFIA. Thus if a species is listed but the commodity is one of the following, then a permit is not required:

• Eviscerated (gutted)
• Already processed, including eviscerated and flash frozen, dried, smoked, salted, brined, pickled, deep fried, etc
• Individually packaged products for sale to the consumer, and
• Ready to eat products sold directly to the consumer.

Companies importing aquatic commodities for human consumption still require a Fish Import Licence, as well as any aquatic animal health requirements.

Please verify and ensure requirements from the Fish and Seafood Division are being met.

The Import permits that are required for live aquatic animals and their products listed in Schedule III of the Health of Animals Regulations contain specific requirements based on the disease risks associated with the animal, the origin, and other relevant health information. Imported aquatic animals may require health certification from the country of origin, to ensure that the animals imported into Canada, meet Canada's aquatic animal health requirements.

The transition period should not be looked upon as holiday, but rather as a training period, so that once the regulations are being enforced, industry will be knowledgeable and practiced in applying for import permits, and their suppliers are aware of their responsibilities with regard to health certification.

Aquatic commodities requiring import permits and associated health certification, arriving at ports of entry without such paperwork, will be rejected commencing December 10, 2012.

For more information regarding importation of aquatic animals, the application process or explanation on which commodities will require import permits and health certification you may contact a CFIA personnel listed below:

Atlantic Canada:
Lisa Myers -Atlantic
Veterinarian - Animal Health Program Specialist
Meat Hygiene Animal Health Programs - Atlantic
Telephone: (506) 851-4743 Fax: (506) 851-2801
Internet: lisa.myers@inspection.gc.ca
Federal Building
Floor 5th floor
1081 MAIN STREET
PO BOX 6088
MONCTON NB E1C 8R2
Canada

Quebec:
Dr Hélène Soucy - Quebec
Program Specialist - Aquatic Animal Health
Terrestrial Animal Health Division - Quebec Area
Telephone: (514) 283-3815 (4309) Fax: (514) 283-6214
Internet: helene.soucy@inspection.gc.ca
Room 671-S
2001 UNIVERSITY ST
MONTREAL QC H3A 3N2
Canada

Ontario Region:
Edward H. Creighton D.V.M.
Area Program Specialist, Aquatic Animal Health (AAH) Program
Telephone:(519) 826-2854 Fax: 519-837-9770
Internet: ed.creighton@inspection.gc.ca
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
174 Stone Road West
GUELPH, Ontario N1G 4S9
Canada

Western Canada:
Dr Gary Kruger, DVM - Western Canada
Veterinary Program Specialist
Animal Health Programs - Western
Telephone: (403) 292-5825 Fax: (403) 292-6629
Internet: gary.kruger@inspection.gc.ca
1115 57 AVENUE NORTH EAST
CALGARY AB T2E 9B2
Canada