New Traceability Regulations from 1 March

CANADA - Alberta is strengthening its animal health and food safety legislation with the introduction of new regulations from 1 March this year.

5 January 2010

2 minute read

North America

The Traceability Cattle Identification Regulation repeals the Traceability Livestock Identification Regulation.

“Traceability is key in providing assurances of food safety and managing animal health issues,” said George Groeneveld, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

“Alberta has taken a leadership role in Canada in developing a traceability system. These adjustments not only enhance Alberta’s system, but also provide some flexibility to producers in meeting requirements.”

There are two parts to the new regulations: tagging requirements for cattle identification and cattle move-in reporting for feedlots.

All producers now have until cattle are 10 months of age, rather than eight, to apply industry-approved Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and register the cattle’s birth date. Producers using actual birth dates also have the option of using a cattle identifier (tattoo or production dangle tag) by three months of age and until applying an RFID tag at 10 months of age or the animal leaves the farm, whichever comes first. Previously, RFID tags were required at three months of age.

Feedlots feeding 1,000 or more head a year are now required to report move-in information to the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA).

Previously, only feedlots feeding 5,000 or more head were required to do so. This regulation applies only to feedlots, not cow-calf operations.

Livestock traceability regulations have been in effect since January 1, 2009. Cattle born after that date are required to be age verified under the Animal Health Act. Traceability enables government to move quickly to prevent, prepare, respond and recover from natural disasters and outbreaks of disease, while minimizing economic impacts.

The Alberta government has a clear plan for a strong economic recovery. An important part of The Way Forward is maintaining support for programs and services Albertans need most, such as health care, education and safe and vibrant communities.