Final Phase of Livestock Feeds Regulations Takes Effect December 17, 2025
Starting next week, livestock feed businesses will operate fully under the Feeds Regulations, 2024, with licensing, export, and import rules in force.
The coming into force date of the final implementation phase for the Feeds Regulations, 2024, is scheduled for December 17, 2025, according to a Notice to Stakeholders published by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
This marks the full transition to Canada’s modernized livestock feed framework, which affects businesses involved in producing or moving livestock feed in Canada.
The Feeds Regulations outline the requirements for how livestock feed is manufactured, imported, exported, moved across provinces, labelled, and controlled in Canada.
They also introduce a robust, outcome-based livestock feed framework that covers hazard analysis, preventive controls, traceability, record-keeping, and licensing.
These updates bring Canada’s approach in line with international standards and best practices.
They also strengthen stakeholders’ ability to understand and manage risks to animal and human health and the environment.
The following four requirements will come into effect next week:
Businesses will need a livestock feeds licence if they conduct a prescribed activity with a prescribed feed, including:
Imported livestock feed must either be registered or imported by a licence holder.
The Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) will be updated accordingly, and licences will not be issued before December 17.
The Feeds Regulations will apply to a wider scope of livestock species.
Along with cattle, swine, poultry, and other species, the regulations will now also cover:
Feeds for all these species must meet the requirements for labelling, compositional and safety standards, as well as preventive control plans (PCPs).
Moreover, all affected feeds must use approved ingredients listed in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table (CFIT).
CFIA will have the authority to issue additional export documentation for livestock feed.
No changes to the export program are being introduced immediately, but the CFIA will consult on any future changes before implementation.
For information on available support, exporters are advised to review the RG-9 Documentation.
A new provision is being introduced to allow the import of feed that does not meet Canadian requirements only if the following rules are met:
At Cole International, we offer customs brokerage services to help Canadian businesses keep their import processes simple, efficient, and compliant with CBSA and CFIA requirements.
If you import livestock feed into Canada, reach out to one of our trade professionals to discuss the impact of the Feeds Regulations on your business.