CFIA is proposing temporary regulatory changes to support interprovincial meat trade, to address challenges caused by limited slaughter capacity in some regions.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is proposing temporary regulatory changes aimed at improving interprovincial trade of red meat while supporting food security and strengthening Canada's food system.
The proposed amendments to the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations would allow low volumes of provincially inspected red meat to move between provinces under specific conditions. The changes are intended to help address challenges caused by limited slaughter capacity in some regions, particularly in rural and remote communities.
The proposal would enable the CFIA to grant targeted, time-limited exemptions when provinces agree to participate and provide oversight. The initiative would help small livestock producers gain access to nearby processing facilities and reduce transportation costs.
It would also allow provincial slaughter establishments to explore new markets while assessing opportunities to become federally licensed.
CFIA says food safety remains a key priority under the proposal. Safeguards would include strict oversight, traceability requirements, and limits on the amount of meat that can be traded. The measures are designed to ensure that Canada's food safety standards and international trade reputation remain strong.
“Removing barriers to internal trade is essential to building a stronger, more competitive Canadian food system. These proposed amendments create a practical, time‑limited pathway for producers and provincially licensed slaughter establishments to move red meat between provinces when local slaughter capacity is limited, said Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food,” said Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
He continued, “This will help small producers and establishments test new markets, reduce transportation costs, and support food security in rural and remote communities, all while maintaining the high food safety standards Canadians expect.”
In addition to supporting producers and processors, the proposal seeks to increase access to locally produced meat and improve food availability in communities where supply challenges exist.
The CFIA also plans to simplify certain regulatory requirements by removing unintended work-shift rules and improving the clarity of existing regulations.
Federally licensed slaughter establishments in Canada declined from 100 in 2018 to 86 in recent years.
The proposed exemption would be a one-time measure lasting four years. It would apply only to low volumes of raw, single-ingredient red meat products.
Participating provinces and territories would be required to provide oversight, subject to CFIA risk assessments.
Have Your Say
The proposed regulations are available through the Canada Gazette, Part I. The public consultation period is open for 60 days and comments may be submitted through the Gazette commenting feature, or to cfia.internaltrade-commerceinterieur.acia@inspection.gc.ca until August 26, 2026. The CFIA will review all feedback received and may revise the proposal based on stakeholder input before making final decisions.
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