Notice to industry: 2024 livestock feed registration renewals

2023-01-16

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) continues to work towards the publication of the proposed Feeds Regulations in winter 2024 (Feeds Regulations, 2024). These proposed regulations will replace the current Feeds Regulations, 1983.

The proposed amendments were pre-published in the Canada Gazette, Part I from June 12 to October 15, 2021. Feedback was received and is available in the what we heard report.

The CFIA is providing the following information to help stakeholders submit applications to renew their livestock feed registrations before March 31, 2024, in anticipation of the proposed Feeds Regulations, 2024.

Registered products and renewals

The proposed Feeds Regulations, 2024, would include changes to labelling requirements and to the types of mixed feeds that would require registration. The CFIA acknowledges that proposing changes to the regulations close to the time that registered feeds are due for renewal may be challenging.

At this time, stakeholders are encouraged to treat the 2024 renewal period as a normal renewal under the Feed Regulations, 1983.

• Registrants may renew their feeds using their previously approved labels if no changes have been made to the label or the feed.
• For registered feed labels that have no changes since their registration or last renewal, they may be eligible for the streamlined renewal process if indicated in their registration summary.
• If there are changes to the registered feed labels, changes to manufacturing or if additional information is required to support the application, the renewal is ineligible for streamlining.
• Stakeholders are encouraged to submit their applications for renewal early if they are not planning to make any labelling changes.

If the proposed Feeds Regulations, 2024, are not published prior to March 31, 2024, all registrants will still need to renew their registrations via MyCFIA in order to remain in compliance with the Feeds Regulations, 1983.

If the proposed Feeds Regulations, 2024 are published before March 31, 2024,

• The CFIA will advise through an updated notice and will publish guidance that will assist stakeholders to determine if their products will continue to require registration.
• For feeds that would continue to require registration, submission of a renewal application will be required before March 31, 2024. 
• For feeds that would be exempt from registration, the registrant may choose not to renew their registration. In that case they must make the necessary labelling changes and begin marketing their feed without the registration number. If a registration number is found on a label, the registration number must be valid and the label must correspond to the approved label that the CFIA has on file.
• Registrants may submit their previously approved labels that meet the requirements in the Feeds Regulations, 1983, or may choose to make changes to their registered feed labels to align with the new labelling requirements. If these changes are made, the registrant will need to submit an application for renewal and an administrative amendment before March 31, 2024.

Note:

• All imported mixed feeds will continue to require registration until the licensing provisions come into effect 18 months after the publication of the proposed Feeds Regulations, 2024.
• All part 2 single ingredient feeds (SIFs) will continue to require registration under the proposed Feeds Regulations, 2024.

Registered livestock feeds that are renewed on time by March 31, 2024, will be issued a normal 3 year registration. The label will not need to be updated to meet the proposed new regulations until the next renewal is due. After the proposed Feeds Regulations, 2024 are published, if a company wishes to update their labels before their next renewal, they may submit an application for an administrative amendment. If the registrant is making label changes or other changes that go beyond updating to meet the new labelling requirements, they may need to submit an application for a significant change to their registration.

For stakeholders that are considering submitting new applications for registration:

• If an application for livestock feed approval or registration is submitted before the new regulations are published, stakeholders should continue to follow the current guidance and policies. However, you may be asked to provide an updated label that meets the new labelling requirements if the Feeds Regulations, 2024 are published before your feed is approved or registered.
• If an application for approval or registration is submitted after the new regulations are published, stakeholders will need to follow the new guidance and policies.

To help stakeholders prepare for these changes, the CFIA is developing guidance materials that will be made available at the time of publication of the new regulations.

If you have questions about the registration process or requirements please refer to RG-1 Regulatory Guidance:Feed Registration Procedures and Labelling Standards and Approval and registration of livestock feeds for more information. Stakeholders who have registered livestock feeds due for renewal by March 31, 2024, will receive their notification for renewal and related documents by email.