Tories Call on CFIA to Abandon Proposed Changes to Livestock Tracking Regulations

Cows and their calves graze in a pasture on a farm near Cremona, Alta., June 26, 2019. The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh

The Conservatives are calling on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to pause the implementation of new livestock tracking regulations, citing concerns about regulatory burden on farmers.

The CFIA first published proposed amendments to Canada’s “Health of Animals Regulations” in 2023, to expand livestock tracking requirements and introduce mandatory movement reporting for several additional species of livestock.

The proposed amendments would apply new requirements to currently regulated species like bison, cattle, and sheep, as well as proposed species, including goats and cervids, which would be regulated under the new changes.

The CFIA said the changes would “improve the accessibility, timeliness and accuracy of animal identification and movement information,” address gaps in the livestock tracking system, and “strengthen the ability to protect Canada’s food supply and animal resource base.”

Conservative MP John Barlow, who serves as his party’s agriculture critic, says the Tories “strongly opposed” the changes when they were first proposed in 2023 and are calling for the measures to be paused for further review. He says the measures would impose “additional red tape and regulatory burden on Canadian farmers and ranchers at a time when they are already facing significant cost and administrative pressures.”

“Canadians are struggling to put food on the table, and producers are concerned that new regulations set to take effect later this year will impact the economic viability of their operations,” Barlow said in a Jan. 8 post on X. “Agricultural societies, fairs, 4-H clubs, rodeos, and other community organizations also warned these regulations could undermine their ability to host events vital to rural life, youth engagement, and local economies.”

Barlow said the CFIA “must pause” the implementation of the proposed changes and undertake extensive consultations with farmers, ranchers, and community associations. He said any decisions relating to the regulations should be guided by “a clear assessment of economic impacts, a commitment to reducing red tape and regulatory burden, and a focus on strengthening Canada’s food security and food affordability.”

The CFIA said it has engaged “extensively” with stakeholders since 2013 to inform its regulatory proposal. The agency opened a 90-day public consultation period after publishing its proposed amendments to seek comments on the changes.

The agency sought feedback on the potential effects the measures could have on business decisions and activities for those in the livestock business and potential effects on industry, market access, and consumer confidence. The agency also sought comments on how feasible it would be to implement the proposed requirements.

The CFIA said it received 1,299 comments from 778 submitters expressing support, outlining concerns, requesting clarification, and proposing changes to the agency’s proposed amendments.

The overall objectives of the amendments and elements such as the new regulated species were supported, the CFIA said. Meanwhile, elements such as restricting approved identification sites, the requirement to report “time” and “licence plate” for livestock movements, and new requirements for fairs and exhibitions to report movements of livestock were not well supported by those who took part in the consultations.

The CFIA noted in a Jan. 10 statement that the amendments are not currently in place and have not been finalized, and said it will “pause any publication of the regulations until the proposed changes are more widely understood and concerns are heard and taken into consideration.”

When the amendments are published, the regulations will include a transition period of one year for regulated parties before implementations, followed by “a graduated enforcement approach.” The agency said it will provide guidance, education, and support throughout the transition period.

Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO), which represents 19,000 beef farmers, said in a Dec. 23 news release that while it supports regulated traceability in principle, it has concerns about disproportionate costs and operational burden on farmers.

BFO called on the government to provide funding and grants to offset infrastructure, technology, and training costs, in addition to a two-year grace period to allow producers time to learn and comply with the new regulatory requirements.

BFO said the amended regulations are expected to be published as early as this spring, but it anticipates that implementation will occur through a “phased approach” to allow for time to adjust to the changes.