Canadian Food Inspection Agency Strengthens Import Regulations for US Breeding Cattle

The move comes in response to recent cases of H5N1 bird flu virus in a dairy herd and human cases in the United States.

The CFIA's decision, effective April 29, imposes enhanced import measures on dairy cattle from the US. These measures include mandatory negative HPAI test results for lactating dairy cattle, milk testing at the retail level to detect viral fragments of HPAI, and voluntary testing of asymptomatic cows.

The recent outbreak of avian influenza in the US, which has affected millions of chickens, thousands of wild birds, and several dairy herds since 2022, has raised concerns about the potential transmission of the virus to other animals and humans. The CFIA's proactive approach aims to mitigate the risk of introducing HPAI into Canada through imported breeding cattle.

By implementing stricter import regulations and conducting thorough testing protocols, the CFIA seeks to safeguard Canada's livestock industry and protect public health.