{"id":4351,"date":"2018-11-14T14:30:46","date_gmt":"2018-11-14T19:30:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/?p=4351"},"modified":"2018-11-15T14:24:47","modified_gmt":"2018-11-15T19:24:47","slug":"agricultural-importing-101-importing-seeds-and-feed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/agricultural-importing-101-importing-seeds-and-feed\/","title":{"rendered":"Agricultural Importing 101: Importing Seeds and Feed"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Last time, in our continuing series on agricultural importing, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/agricultural-importing-101-bringing-livestock-over-the-border\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">we looked at the requirements<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> needed to bring livestock across the Canada &#8211; USA border. Today, we\u2019re going to focus on goods that are a wee bit smaller in stature \u2014 two things, in fact, that are vital to the livelihoods of Canadian farmers and ranchers, and which carry their own set of regulations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019re, of course, talking about livestock feed and seeds (more specifically, the combined trio of crop, small packet, and commercial seeds).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the 2016\u201317 crop year, imports of grains and oilseeds (wheat, barley, oats, etc.) \u00a0in Canada totalled 1,619 kilotonnes, but that number skyrocketed to 2,428 kt in just the span of a year (<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.agr.gc.ca\/eng\/industry-markets-and-trade\/canadian-agri-food-sector-intelligence\/crops\/reports-and-statistics-data-for-canadian-principal-field-crops\/canada-outlook-for-principal-field-crops-2018-09-17\/?id=1537281859254\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as of September 17, 2018<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), and is projected to remain in the same ballpark going into 2018\u201319.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While both seeds and livestock feed have their own particularities in terms of importation guidelines, each set of rules is administered and regulated largely by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Here\u2019s what you need to know:<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Regulations on Crop, Small Packet, and Commercial Seeds<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many types of legislation that apply to the importation of seeds into Canada related to pesticide usage, plant protection and more \u2014 to ensure the basics are covered, however, overall compliance with the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seeds Act<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seed Regulations<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is what you should be aiming for.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First things first, your seed order will require three things:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A signed <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.inspection.gc.ca\/eng\/1328823628115\/1328823702784#c4560\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Import Declaration Form (CFIA\/ACIA 4560)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that indicates the following information: seed species name; total seed weight; the seed\u2019s lot designation; the exporter\u2019s name and address, as well as your own name, address and telephone number; the seed\u2019s country of origin; and the seed\u2019s intended purpose.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.inspection.gc.ca\/eng\/1328823628115\/1328823702784#c5272\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Request for Documentation Review (CFIA\/ACIA 5272)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, mandated by Import Service Centres and Canada Border Service Agencies.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An acceptable seed analysis certificate, which provides information on purity and germination to show that your seed meets the minimum standards to cross into Canada.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the Government of Canada <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.inspection.gc.ca\/plants\/seeds\/imports\/abcs-of-importation\/eng\/1347740952226\/1347741389113\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">goes out of its way to mention<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seeds Act<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seed Regulations<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> must be adhered to at all times, there are grounds for exemption from submitting all or some these documents, however:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your order contains less than a certain amount of seed (5 kg or less for large-seeded crops like wheat and corn, 500g for small-seeded crops like tomatoes or canola);<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your seed is being imported for conditioning (cleaning, packaging, etc.);<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your seed is being imported for research purposes;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Herb, flower, tree, shrub and aquatic plants don\u2019t require import declaration or seed analysis, only a documentation review.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In regards to fees, large- and small-seeded crops, outlined in the above bullet point, are considered \u201csmall shipments\u201d and, therefore, require no extra payment. Also, if you pay yearly to be an Authorized Importer, fees don\u2019t apply to you either. The only people required to pay are non-Authorized Importers, to the tune of $15 CDN on orders of 1,500 kg or less, and $0.01 per kg on shipments of more than 1,500 kg.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Regulations on Livestock Feed<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.inspection.gc.ca\/animals\/feeds\/regulatory-guidance\/rg-1\/introduction\/eng\/1493737712622\/1493737821272\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the CFIA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, under the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feeds Act<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feed Regulations<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, livestock feed imported into Canada must meet two important criteria:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first is, understandably, safety. All imported feeds need to be suitable not just for livestock consumption, but also without risk for inadvertent exposure to humans (e.g. residue in farmed foods like meat, milk and eggs, or through potential exposure to farm workers) or the environment.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Secondly, imported livestock feed must serve one or more of the purposes outlined in the CFIA\u2019s <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feed Regulations<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/laws-lois.justice.gc.ca\/eng\/regulations\/SOR-83-593\/page-11.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Schedules IV and V<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). The extensive list details 32 total categories divided into four parts (more on that in a moment) made up of dozens of different grains, proteins, minerals and more. Each entry explicitly defines eligible ingredients and, in most cases, what their intended purpose should be.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Those are the big ones. However, in special circumstances, approval from other CFIA branches or governmental agencies might be required, or your imports might be subject to other acts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Example 1:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If your farm uses organic feed, imports will be subject to additional requirements outlined by the Canada Organic Regime.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Example 2:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If your feed contains medicinal ingredients to treat your livestock, it must be registered directly with the <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.inspection.gc.ca\/animals\/terrestrial-animals\/imports\/policies\/animal-products-and-by-products\/pet-food\/2001-8\/eng\/1321130887830\/1321131090674\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CFIA\u2019s Animal Feed Division<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and will likely need to meet the necessary requirements laid out in the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Food and Drugs Act<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you\u2019ve determined if your imported feed meets the criteria, the other key step is registering it \u2014 or, just as important, knowing if it\u2019s exempt from registration.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Going back to our <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feed Regulations<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> list for a moment, as promised, there is a reason why Schedules IV and V are each divided into two parts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since Schedule V covers flavouring ingredients rather than feed, let\u2019s focus on Schedule IV. Everything contained in Part I are products already approved for importation and use in Canada, meaning they\u2019re exempt from the registration process. Part II, however, contains all ingredients recognized by the CFIA that must be backed by info or data to ensure safety and efficacy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, you\u2019ll need to consider which category your livestock feed fits into, in order to know if product registration is necessary. Single Ingredient Feeds (SIF) are straightforward, as they simply need to be placed in either Part I or II of Schedule IV to know whether or not to register. Similarly, new ingredients not previously listed in Schedule IV or V will be subject to scrutiny.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Where you have to work a little harder is with mixed feed and specialty feed. Mixed, as you might imagine, requires each separate ingredient in the mix to be registered or exempted individually. Same goes for speciality feeds, considered \u201canything acting as an additive or providing a specific function\u201d (e.g. antioxidants, buffer feeds, pellet binders, etc.)<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Things to Consider<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do you have all of your required documentation in order?<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much seed are you important and are you prepared for fees?<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Which categories do your livestock feed import fall into, and have you met the correct regulations?<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have you ensured the reliability of your seed and feed sources?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s a lot to remember, and we\u2019re here to help. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contact a customs broker today<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and we\u2019ll help you get the seed and livestock feed you need into Canada!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last time, in our continuing series on agricultural importing, we looked at the requirements needed to bring livestock across the Canada &#8211; USA border. Today, we\u2019re going to focus on goods that are a wee bit smaller in stature \u2014 two things, in fact, that are vital to the livelihoods of Canadian farmers and ranchers, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":4352,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[9],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4351"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4351"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4351\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4355,"href":"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4351\/revisions\/4355"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4352"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4351"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4351"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clearit.ca\/canadian-customs-broker-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4351"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}