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Traceability
Health of Animals Regulations (Identification and Traceability)
The inclusion of goats in national traceability in Canada is a significant development for the livestock industry. This means that goats will now be part of a system that tracks their movement from birth through their lifespan, similar to other livestock such as cattle and sheep. This initiative aims to enhance food safety, disease control, and biosecurity by keeping detailed records of each animal's movements.
For producers in Alberta, this new requirement will likely mean changes in record-keeping, tagging, and reporting processes. The Alberta Goat Association's collaboration with the Canadian National Goat Federation indicates efforts to provide producers with information and resources to help them adapt to the new regulations. This might include training on compliance, updates on new systems or software for traceability, and support in understanding how these changes will impact daily operations.
Types of Tags
Currently to purchase tags in Alberta, can be done at
CCIA's website
Additional Resources
The challenges outlined regarding the lack of traceability and recognition of goats within regulatory frameworks in Canada present significant hurdles for the goat industry.
The challenges outlined regarding the lack of traceability and recognition of goats within regulatory frameworks in Canada present significant hurdles for the goat industry.
1. TB-Free Status and Genetic Exchange:
The exclusion of goats from being grouped together with bovine in Canada's TB-free status hampers the industry's ability to import new goat genetics from other countries. The requirement for testing entire goat herds for TB before semen collection increases costs and limits access to new genetic material, impacting genetic diversity and breeding programs.
2. Vaccine Numbers and Disease Management:
The exclusion of goats from vaccine numbers, such as for diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease, hinders effective disease management and prevention efforts. Without accurate data on goat populations and vaccination rates, it's challenging to implement targeted vaccination campaigns and control disease outbreaks effectively.
3. Lack of Recognition and Support:
The goat industry's concerns regarding neglect and lack of recognition from regulatory bodies like CFIA result in a lack of support and resources for addressing industry-specific challenges. This can lead to disparities in regulatory treatment compared to other livestock sectors, impacting the industry's competitiveness and sustainability.
4. Tariffs and Trade Protections:
The inability to impose tariffs on imported goat products that compete with Canadian goat products puts domestic producers at a disadvantage. Without adequate trade protections, Canadian goat producers face increased competition from lower-cost imports, impacting market share and economic viability.
5. Regulatory Constraints and Scrapie Control:
Stringent rules imposed on the goat industry due to concerns like scrapie control may result in regulatory burdens and constraints that limit industry growth and innovation. While scrapie control is essential for animal health and welfare, overly restrictive regulations without considering the specific needs of the goat industry can stifle development and impede progress.
Addressing these challenges requires collaboration between industry stakeholders, government agencies, and regulatory bodies to develop tailored solutions that address the unique needs and concerns of the goat industry. Advocacy efforts, policy reforms, and increased dialogue between stakeholders can help raise awareness and drive positive change to support the growth and sustainability of the Canadian goat industry.
CFIA’s Role Responsible Administrator Role CCIA’s Role CCIA’s Main Responsibilities
• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is dedicated to safeguarding food, animals and plants, which enhances the health and well-being of Canada's people, environment and economy.
• They also set and support the objective of the national Livestock Identification and Traceability Program, which is to provide accurate and up-to-date livestock identity, movement and location information in order to mitigate the impact of disease outbreaks, food safety issues and natural disasters.
• Traceability is at the Federal Government level under the Ministry of Agriculture
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) provides full regulatory enforcement for animal identification as defined in the Health of Animals Regulations.
CFIA = Regulator and enforcer
CCIA
• A Responsible Administrator is someone responsible for delivering a traceability program defined by federal regulations.
• Every species group with traceability regulations has to have a responsible administrator, either selected or assigned.
• The CFIA approves Responsible Administrators, subject to a contractual agreement.
• There is a criteria document defining the roles, responsibilities, and obligations of a Responsible Administrator.
• Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) is an industry-initiated and led, not-for-profit organization incorporated to establish a national livestock identification program to support efficient trace back and containment of serious animal health and food safety concerns in the Canadian livestock industry.
• CCIA is the Responsible Administrator of the animal identification program and traceability initiatives for beef cattle, bison, sheep and pending regulation, cervids and goats in Canada except Quebec, and bison.
• CCIA is one of 4 Responsible Administrators: Pig Trace, Attestra (all regulated species in Quebec), Dairy Trace.
• As the responsible administrator, CCIA wholly owns and manages the Canadian Livestock Tracking System (CLTS) database.
• CCIA has an agreement with the CFIA.
CCIA = Responsible administrator
CFIA = Regulator and the enforcer
• To maintain and manage the Canadian Livestock Tracking System Database (CLTS), which is secure and accessible for traceback.
• It is important to highlight the fact that regulated producer data is private. No one has access to their data except for certain CFIA inspectors that are conducting tracebacks on specific animals. No one has access to the data in the CLTS to look for information, including law enforcement. Found animals with a tag number when reported by police need a specific permission to get any contact information for the producer, usually with producer's permission.
• Everything Tag or Indicator related such as assigning the unique identification numbers, testing, any recommendations to the Minister, quality and distribution, etc.
• Communication of Compliance/explain how to be compliant as a regulated party which includes the 5W’s: what to do, when to do it, where to find/send information, who does what and why traceability.
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CCIA is also responsible to educate regulated parties on how to use the CLTS and where they can buy tags. At the moment goat tags are available via our webstore. It isn’t clear at the moment if they will be available at farm and ranch retail locations.