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Requirements for Small Ruminants Imported from the United States for Immediate Slaughter

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AHPD-DSAE-IE-2007-13-1
October 30, 2007

Small ruminants: are defined as members of the Family: Bovinidae, Subfamily: Caprinidae, Genus: Ovis and Capra. The term "small ruminants" applies to domestic sheep and goats in this document.

A. General import notes

1. An import permit is required for any category of small ruminant importation and must be issued prior to the arrival of animals at a port of entry. A permit for the import of slaughter animals may be issued for multiple shipments over a period of ninety (90) days.

2. Individual identification traceable to the flock or herd of origin (defined as the state of origin for slaughter animals) is required for any small ruminant imported into Canada. Identification must be an official United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) ear tag or a tamper-resistant ear tag approved by USDA - Animal Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) for use in the Scrapie Flock Certification Program or a visible tag approved under a national identification program.

3. Small ruminants imported for immediate slaughter must be under twelve (12) months of age. (see Appendix 1).

4. Small ruminants imported for immediate slaughter must be consigned to a federally registered establishment and transported directly from the port of entry to the abattoir for slaughter within four (4) days of arrival.

B. General certification requirements

1. Small ruminants may be imported into Canada from the United States for immediate slaughter if the animals are accompanied by a certificate of an official veterinarian of the United States or a certificate of a veterinarian licensed in the United States and endorsed by an official veterinarian of the United States. The certificate is valid for thirty (30) days from the date of inspection of the animals.

2. An original of the certificate is required for each shipment but may cover animals on up to eight (8) vehicles imported in a twenty-four (24) hour period. The first vehicle to enter Canada must present the original certificate and one copy. Each subsequent vehicle to enter Canada must carry two copies of the certificate.

3. The certificate must contain the following information:

C. Test requirements

There are no test requirements for small ruminants imported for immediate slaughter.

D. Health certification - Zoosanitary certificate

Currently the zoosanitary certificate referred to above is the: VS-Form 17-140, United States Origin Health Certificate

1. The health certificate must state that the small ruminants in the shipment have resided in the United States or Canada for their entire life and have been inspected and found free from any evidence of communicable disease and that, as far as can be determined, they have not been exposed to any such disease during the preceding 60 days.

2. The feeding to small ruminants of meat and bone meal or greaves of ruminant origin has been banned since 1997 and the prohibition is strictly enforced.

3. The small ruminants in the shipment are identified by permanent identification that allows them to be traced back to the flock or herd of origin (State at this time).

4. The dentition of every animal has been examined and all animals have been determined to be under twelve (12) months of age according to the standard of no eruption of a permanent incisor tooth.

5. The shipment is covered by CFIA Import Permit Number: space to insert name.

E. Documentation for importation

1. Small ruminants imported to Canada for slaughter must be accompanied by an original health certificate and one copy of that certificate.

2. If the shipment is contained in several vehicles, the original plus one copy of the health certificate must accompany the initial vehicle to the Canadian port of entry; subsequent vehicles must be accompanied by two copies of the health certificate.

3. One copy of the permit issued to import small ruminants into Canada for immediate slaughter must accompany every shipment.

F. Border inspection and requirements

1. Upon arrival at a port of entry, the shipment of small ruminants for immediate slaughter must be presented to Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) personnel for reference.

2. The shipment must then proceed to the port veterinarian for inspection. The port veterinarian shall inspect the health certificate and animals to their satisfaction that the conditions for import have been met. If for any reason the certification or animals are not as described, the shipment shall be refused entry. Shipments will also be refused entry if the load contains deceased animals or by reason of undue suffering, the animals are not fit for transport.

3. The port veterinarian shall issue a CFIA/ACIA 1506, Animal Import Inspection Certificate and a CFIA/ACIA 4206, License to Transport Animals to the identified federal abattoir for slaughter. The vehicle must have CFIA seals applied to all exit points. The seal numbers and vehicle transport details should be recorded on the CFIA/ACIA 4206 in the upper right box "Location of Animal(s) or Thing(s).

4. Final release from the port of entry will be at the discretion of CBSA after all documents are presented and in order for customs purposes.

G. Post entry requirements

1. After clearance, port of entry staff are expected to fax a notice of import to the federal establishment due to receive the animals.

2. CFIA staff at the federal establishment are expected to receive the animals, arrange to break seals on the vehicle(s) and perform ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection on the animals. CFIA Inspection staff are also expected to supply a report back to the port of entry staff to confirm receipt, and confirm identification of the animals slaughtered.

3. The animals must be slaughtered within four (4) days of arrival at the federal slaughter establishment and may not be removed from the location for any reason after arrival.

4. The file is closed when confirmation of slaughter is received by the port of entry.

Appendix 1

AHPD-DSAE-IE-2007-13-1

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency limits the import of small ruminant for immediate slaughter to those animals under 12 months of age. Sheep and goats are considered to be 12 months of age or older if the first permanent incisor has erupted.

Small Ruminant Dentition. Description follows.

Description for photo - Small Ruminant Dentition

First image left column consists of a lamb's head with the teeth exposed by human hands holding back the animal's lips. Under the image is the word "lamb."
To the right of the first image is a top view drawing of a sheep's jaw with the teeth numbered and captions for "median line" pointing to the centre of the palate and the word "Lamb."

Second image left column consists of a lamb's head with the teeth exposed by human hands holding back the animal's lips with the caption "Two Tooth (1-2 years old) two permanent incisors"
To the right of the second image is a top view drawing of a sheep's jaw with the teeth numbered and the caption "Age 1-1½ years old".

Third image left column consists of a lamb's head with the teeth exposed by human hands holding back the animal's lips with the caption "2-3 years old".
To the right of the third image is a top view drawing of a sheep's jaw with the teeth numbered and the caption "Age 2-2½ years"

Fourth image left column consists of a lamb's head with the teeth exposed by human hands holding back the animal's lips with the caption "3-4 years old".
To the right of the fourth image is a top view drawing of a sheep's jaw with the teeth numbered and the caption "Age 3-3½ years".

Small Ruminant Dentition. Description follows.

Description for photo - Small Ruminant Dentition

This composite image includes five images in two columns as follows:

First image left column is a sheep's head with the teeth exposed by human hands holding back the animal's lips. Under the image are the words: "4 years or older full mouth of permanent incisors" on two lines. To the right of the first image is a sheep's head with the teeth exposed by human hands holding back the animal's lips. Under the image are the words: "Broken mouth - aged sheep".

Second image left column is a top view drawing of a sheep's jaw with the teeth numbered and a caption that reads: "Age 4 years +" Middle image left column is a top view drawing of a sheep's jaw with only four teeth showing and the caption: " 'Broken' Mouth Age (?) Sheep" Bottom image left column is a top view drawing of a sheep's jaw with no teeth other than two spots where the roots of teeth can be seen and a caption: " 'Gummer' Age (?)"

Under 12 months

Sheep Age Verification Using Dentition - Example 1: sheep dentition under age 12 months
Sheep Age Verification Using Dentition - Example 2: sheep dentition under age 12 months

Over 12 months

Sheep Age Verification Using Dentition - Example 1 of sheep dentition over 12 months
Sheep Age Verification Using Dentition - Example 2 of sheep dentition over 12 months
Under 12 months
Sheep Age Verification Using Dentition - Example 3 of sheep dentition under 12 months
Over 12 months
Sheep Age Verification Using Dentition - Example 3 of sheep dentition over 12 months
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