New CFIA animal health requirements for the import of Koi

/in , /by

We are working with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to help distribute information about a new requirement regarding the importation of Koi from the USA into Canada.  This new measure is in response to outbreaks of Koi herpesvirus disease (KHV) in Canada in 2018.  They are reaching out through us to collect feedback as soon as possible.  A memo from the CFIA outlining export certificate requirements is below. Please review it and send your comments and questions directly to programs@gabrielsenn.com.  We will be gathering the feedback and sending it to our contact at the department.  It is important to note the start date for this adjustment is sometime in January 2019.

We appreciate your assistance with this. Your engagement helps to keep our Canadian pet business network strong, as well as our collaborative relationships with the government.

 

Changes to the CFIA animal health requirements for the export of Koi carp from the USA to Canada

December 17, 2018

As a result of outbreaks of Koi herpesvirus disease (KHV) in Canada in 2018, the CFIA has renegotiated with the USA, the export certification requirements for Koi carp. Implementation of these new export certification requirements will begin in January 2019.

Currently Koi carp exported to Canada from the USA are required to have a valid CFIA import permit and shipments must be accompanied by the USDA endorsed export certificate “Veterinary Health Certificate for Export of Aquarium/Outdoor holding units-private/commercial from the United States of America to Canada”.

As of February 2019, all imports of Koi will require the new USDA- APHIS export certificate “Veterinary Health Certificate for the Export of Live Koi Carp for Aquarium or Outdoor Holding unit from the USA to Canada” to accompany the valid CFIA import permit. This new certificate will apply exclusively to the export of Koi carp from the US to Canada.  There will be no change in the export certification requirement for all other susceptible ornamental or aquarium species and these species will continue to use the existing export certificate “Veterinary Health Certificate for Export of Aquarium/Outdoor holding units-private/commercial from the United States of America to Canada “.

There will be a transition period to provide time to adjust to the new import requirements to minimize impacts on trade. Importers are reminded that the CFIA only requires import permits for species that are susceptible to CFIA regulated diseases (Susceptible Species List).

The new zoosanitary requirements for Koi carp are summarized below:

Either

The exporting premises can be designated as free from the diseases of concern if the US official can verify that:

    • The facility has historical testing and ongoing testing to support freedom from CFIA regulated diseases.
    • The facility has a biosecurity plan.
    • There have been no unexplained morbidity/mortality prior to export and no official disease restrictions have been placed on the exporting facility.
    • The populations have not been in contact with water or animals of a lesser or unknown health status.
    • The animals have not been vaccinated for the diseases of concern.

OR

If the premises doesn’t have a recognized health status as free from diseases of concern, then the population to be exported:

    • Has been tested and found free of diseases of concern.
    • Has had no unexplained morbidity/mortality prior to export and no official disease restrictions have been placed on the exporting facility.
    • The animals to be exported have not been in contact with water or animals of a lesser or unknown health status.
    • The animals have been inspected and shown no clinical signs of disease.
    • The animals have not been vaccinated for the diseases of concern.

 

 Share your comments and article suggestions with us at information@gabrielsenn.com