Ottawa, Ontario – Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced today that Canadian producers will now have better access to top quality bovine genetics following a new agreement with the United States. The agreement, which allows in-vitro fertilized (IVF) bovine embryos to enter Canada from the U.S., opens up new herd development opportunities for Canadian producers. Previously, only IVF bovine embryos produced within Canada were accessible to producers.
Canada and the U.S. have a strong bilateral trading relationship in bovine genetics, working together to increase North American bovine genetics competitiveness. To build on these important trade ties, this certificate represents the first agreement Canada has developed with another country to permit the sale of IVF bovine embryos within our market.
The science-based agreement negotiated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the U.S. supports trade while maintaining Canada's strict animal health requirements.
Source: CFIA