Important Changes for Equine Owners
Updated ante-mortem requirements coming into effect on July 31, 2010 for every Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) inspected establishment engaged in equine slaughter for edible purposes.The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) Meat Hygiene Directive (MHD) no. 2010-21 describes policy related to equine ante-mortem procedures / responsibilities, provisional withdrawal periods for specified common use equine pharmaceuticals, options for group identification of equine animals intended for slaughter, and procedures/responsibilities related to group identification of equine intended for slaughter in Canada.
This new directive provides additional information and replaces the Meat Hygiene Directive (MHD) no. 2009-49 that was published on December 1, 2009.
CFIA, July 7, 2010
SUBJECT: Chapter 17 - Annexes A, E, F
Amendments to Chapter 17:
Creation of Annex A, Chapter 17:
Annex I of Chapter 4: "Introduction to ante-mortem for plant employees - A training guide", is moved to Annex A of Chapter 17.
Replacement of Annex E, Chapter 17:
Incorporation of the new Equine Lot Program; revised lists of veterinary drugs; and minor corrections.
Creation of Annex F, Chapter 17:
Section 4.3 of Chapter 4, which details ante-mortem examination (screening) and ante-mortem inspection procedures for all red meat food animal species including ratites (i.e. ostrich, rhea, emu) is moved to Annex F of Chapter 17. This annex also contains information on the new ante-mortem examination (screening) and ante-mortem inspection procedures for equine coming into effect July 31, 2010.
For all red meat food animal species including ratites (i.e. ostrich, rhea, emu), clarification regarding the necessity for operators of slaughter establishments to receive assurance from producers that animals presented for slaughter are acceptable for human consumption.
ENGLISH AND FRENCH VERSIONS
Add the new Annex A and F and replace the current Annex E of Chapter 17 with the attached Annex E.