CFIA enforces new restrictions due to Foot and Mouth Disease in Hungary and Slovakia

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has announced immediate import restrictions following a recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Hungary and Slovakia. These measures are crucial to protect Canada’s livestock and mitigate the economic impact of a potential FMD outbreak in the country.

FMD susceptible species:

• Suidae (pigs, wild boar)
• Bovinae (cattle, bison, water buffalo)
• Caprinae (sheep, goats)
• Camelidae (llamas, alpacas, vicunas, guanacos, and Bactrian camels)
• Antilopinae (antelopes, gazelles, blackbucks, springboks, gerenuks, dibatags)
• Cervidae (deer, elk, moose, caribou, reindeer)
• Any cloven-hooved (two-toed) animals not listed above
• Insectivores (tenrecs, hedgehogs, shrews, moles)
• Elephants
• Giraffe and okapi
• Tapirs
• Hippopotami
• Xenarthra (anteaters, sloths, armadillos)
• Aardvarks

Affected commodities:

• Live animals and germplasm
• Uncooked meat and meat products
• Raw milk and milk products
• Unprocessed manure
• Laboratory material
• Blood products
• Raw or unprocessed pet food
• Raw hides, skins, wool, antlers, horns, hooves
• Any other non-heat-treated products or byproducts from the species listed above
• Animal feed and equipment that have been in contact with affected animals

Products and by-products from susceptible species collected or slaughtered before the critical monitoring period are eligible for entry into Canada, provided the date of slaughter or collection is documented. If no date is available, the certificate’s signature date will be used.

Shipments from Hungary and Slovakia must be certified as collected or slaughtered before February 2, 2025, or the certificate’s signature date must be prior to this date.

The following actions have been implemented:

• The CFIA website now reflects that Hungary and Slovakia are not free of FMD.
• A border lookout and animal health alert have been issued, with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) implementing the restrictions.
• Notification letters will be sent to Hungary and Slovakia regarding the import restrictions.
• The CFIA will trace shipments of edible pork and raw milk products that arrived in Canada after February 2, 2025. These shipments will be detained until further information is obtained about the slaughter dates and potential risks. Decisions on acceptance or rejection will be based on the assessed risk.

The CFIA will continue to monitor the evolving situation in Hungary and Slovakia and adjust import controls as necessary. The agency will also engage with officials in Hungary, Slovakia, the EU Commission, and other trading partners as needed. Industry stakeholders will be kept informed of the FMD situation and Canada’s response.