Vol. 132, No. 50 — December 12, 1998

Regulations Amending the Livestock and Poultry Carcass Grading Regulations

Statutory Authority

Canada Agricultural Products Act

Sponsoring Agency

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

REGULATORY IMPACT
ANALYSIS STATEMENT

Description

The Canada Agricultural Products Act provides the authority for the Governor in Council to make regulations establishing grades and standards for agricultural products. Pursuant to this Act, the Livestock and Poultry Carcass Grading Regulations specify the national grade standards for livestock and poultry carcasses graded in Canada. The grading program and the Regulations facilitate trade and marketing by establishing a basis for product quality and pricing. This amendment proposes new lamb and mutton grade standards.

The current standards for lamb and mutton were introduced following an amendment in 1992. Prior to this amendment, the Canadian lamb grading system used alphanumeric designations for carcass evaluation. Each grade incorporated meat colour, fat colour, animal age, muscle conformation and fat cover criteria. In response to an industry desire for more information on carcass saleable meat yield, and in collaboration with industry, the current system which is a carcass classification system was developed and implemented.

Under the current carcass classification system, carcasses are determined to be either lamb or mutton according to carcass physiological criteria. Lamb carcasses are then classified according to muscle conformation and body wall thickness (GR measurement). To determine muscle conformation, the grader visually assesses the level of muscling in the leg, loin and shoulder regions and assigns a rating of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) for each region. The cumulative rating represents the muscle conformation score.

The GR measurement is determined by inserting an approved probe perpendicularly into the body wall of the carcass at a site 11 cm from the mid-line of the loin at the 12th rib. After grading, the conformation and GR measurement values are recorded on the carcass tag but not on the carcass itself. The current classification system is not used to market lamb products to the retail level, but serves only for producer-packer settlement purposes on rail-grade lambs. The conformation and GR measurement are plotted on a grid which predicts carcass yield and producer payment is established accordingly.

In the proposed new lamb grading system established by this amendment, producers and packers will continue to be able to value lamb carcasses and it will be possible to market lamb products on the basis of grading information. Separate grades are established for quality and yield. Proposed quality grades for lamb carcasses are Canada AAA, Canada C1 and Canada C2. Lamb carcasses which qualify for the Canada AAA grade would also be classified into one of four yield grades — Canada 1 to Canada 4 — based on the GR measurement. The quality and yield grades could be stamped on the carcass.

To qualify for the Canada AAA grade, a lamb carcass would require a minimum GR measurement of 4 mm; a minimum average muscle conformation score of 2.6; and a minimum of trace fat streakings in the flank muscles. These criteria will eliminate under-finished, poorly muscled, poor quality carcasses from the highest quality grade. Youthful carcasses which meet all the quality factors for the Canada AAA grade but which lack muscling or are under-finished would be graded Canada C1. Carcasses with dark colour meat or yellow fat would be graded Canada C2. Fat and meat colour would be measured objectively using a Pantone colour fan.

Proposed grades for mutton carcasses are Canada D1 and Canada D4. A mutton carcass with a GR measurement of less than 13 mm would be graded Canada D1, whereas a carcass with a measurement of 13 mm or more would be graded Canada D4.

The following table provides a summary of the proposed grading system:

Quality Grade	Maturity	Fat/Muscling	Yield Grade
Canada AAA	less than 2 incisors; or 2 break joints; or 1 break joint with rounded ribs and a pink to red colour	GR ≥ 4 mm   individual muscle score ≥ 2.0 and average muscle score ≥ 2.6   trace fat streaking   firm	Y1 if GR ( 13 mm;   Y2 if GR ≥ 13 and ( 19 mm;   Y3 if GR ≥ 19 and ( 25 mm;   Y4 if GR ≥ 25 mm
Canada C1	same as Canada AAA	GR ( 4 mm   individual muscle score ≥ 1.0 and average muscle score ( 2.6	none
Canada C2	same as Canada AAA	yellow fat   dark red meat	none
Canada D1	2 or more incisors; or 2 spool joints; or 1 spool joint with flat ribs and dark red coloured meat	GR ( 13 mm	none
Canada D4	same as Canada D1	GR ≥ 13 mm	none

Alternatives

The status quo is not an option. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is responsible for various acts and regulations including the Livestock and Poultry Carcass Grading Regulations. Lamb and mutton grade standards are found in these Regulations and must be updated as needed.

Privatization of the lamb and mutton grading program was discussed with industry. Although complete privatization and revocation of federal regulatory standards was one option, industry elected to maintain the federal standards and to assume responsibility for delivery of the actual grading service. The Canadian Sheep Federation has been accredited to deliver this service subject to federal monitoring on a cost recovery basis. The lamb and sheep model is analogous to the beef model whereby the Canadian Beef Grading Agency was established and accredited in 1996 to deliver beef, veal and bison grading services. The Canadian Beef Grading Agency is considered by industry to have been very successful since its inception.

Benefits and Costs

In Canada, the lamb and sheep industry is relatively small. The 1995 farm income receipts from lamb, sheep and wool totalled approximately $66.4 million. Ontario, Alberta and Quebec had approximate income figures of $24 million, $12 million and $11 million respectively. The 1996 lamb and sheep slaughter is estimated at 523 400 head. Very little lamb is actually graded and most of the grading occurs at one major plant in Alberta.

The proposed system will provide producers with better information on meat quality and meat yield for rail-grade lambs. It will also enable more accurate carcass pricing.

It will provide consumers with an assurance of consistency in the quality of graded lamb products purchased. It will also facilitate the introduction of a grade certification protocol, similar to beef, which would enable grade identification and labelling on boxes of lamb products destined for domestic and export markets.

The proposed system was aligned with the current United States Department of Agriculture lamb grading system to provide a basis to apply for equivalency with the United States should the opportunity arise in the future. Although the proposed Canadian grade names differ from American grade names, industry believes the Canadian system could be used to increase carcass and boxed-lamb shipments to the United States and other countries where high quality North American lamb is consumed.

The only costs associated with the amendment, other than the costs of the regulatory process borne by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, are equipment costs to stamp the carcasses with the quality and yield grades. These costs are very minor.

Grade monitoring costs by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are currently $52 per hour plus travel costs. For the major plant where grading occurs, it is estimated that two national audits would be performed during the year and that the total costs would be less than $1,000.

This amendment has no impact on the year 2000 computer issue.

Consultation

The proposed amendments have been developed primarily by industry in collaboration with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The Canadian Sheep Federation and the major Alberta packing plant involved with lamb grading have jointly collaborated on the proposal. The amendments are supported by the Canadian Meat Council.

Advance notice was provided in the 1997 Federal Regulatory Plan under Future Initiatives. A 30-day prepublication period is envisaged.

Compliance and Enforcement

The grading service is delivered by the Canadian Sheep Federation which has been accredited by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to perform this function. Individual graders are also designated by the Agency upon successful completion of training. Both the Federation and individual graders are subject to regular auditing by the Agency. Compliance is not anticipated to be a concern because the amendments are voluntary, provide more information to producers and consumers, and harmonize with American practices.

Contact

Richard Robinson, Chief, Livestock Identification and Legislation, Meat and Processed Animal Products Division, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 59 Camelot Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0Y9, (613) 225-2342 (Telephone), (613) 228-6636 (Facsimile).

PROPOSED REGULATORY TEXT

Notice is hereby given that the Governor in Council, pursuant to section 32 of the Canada Agricultural Products Act (see footnote a), proposes to make the annexed Regulations Amending the Livestock and Poultry Carcass Grading Regulations.

Any interested person may make representations concerning the proposed Regulations within 30 days after the date of publication of this notice. All such representations must be addressed to Richard Robinson, Chief, Livestock Identification and Legislation, Meat and Processed Animal Products Division, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 59 Camelot Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0Y9, (613) 225-2342, extension 3771 (Telephone), (613) 228-6636 (Facsimile), and cite the Canada Gazette, Part I, and the date of this notice.

December 3, 1998

MARC O'SULLIVAN
Assistant Clerk of the Privy Council

REGULATIONS AMENDING THE LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY CARCASS GRADING REGULATIONS

AMENDMENTS

1. The definitions "grade name" (see footnote 1), "grade stamp" (see footnote 2), "lamb carcass", "mutton carcass", "ovine carcass", "yield", "yield class" and "yield stamp" (see footnote 3) in section 2 of the Livestock and Poultry Carcass Grading Regulations (see footnote 4) are replaced by the following:

"grade name" means

(a) in respect of a beef carcass, a grade name prescribed by section 29,

(b) in respect of a veal carcass, a grade name prescribed by section 41,

(c) in respect of an ovine carcass, a grade name prescribed by subsection 45(1),

(d) in respect of a bison carcass, a grade name prescribed by section 48, and

(e) in respect of a poultry carcass, a grade name prescribed by section 56; (nom de catégorie)

"grade stamp" means the mark that is made on a livestock carcass by a grade hammer that shows the grade name of the livestock carcass and the grader's code and

(a) in respect of a beef carcass and an ovine carcass, is in the shape of a maple leaf, as illustrated in Schedule III to Part III,

(b) in respect of a veal carcass, is in the shape of a triangle, as illustrated in Schedule II to Part IV, with all sides of 5 cm, or

(c) in respect of a bison carcass, is in the shape of a square, as illustrated in Schedule IV to Part VI, with all sides of 2.5 cm; (estampille de classification)

"lamb carcass" means an ovine carcass that has the maturity characteristics set out in Schedule I to Part V; (carcasse d'agneau)

"mutton carcass" means an ovine carcass that has the maturity characteristics set out in Schedule II to Part V; (carcasse de mouton)

"ovine carcass" means the carcass of a slaughtered ovine animal that has a carcass weight of 13.5 kg or more and that has had the following removed, namely,

(a) the pelt,

(b) that portion of the head and neck forward of the first cervical vertebra,

(c) that portion of the hind leg below the metatarso-phalangeal (ankle) joint,

(d) the respiratory, digestive, reproductive and urinary systems and the thoracic and abdominal organs,

(e) the membranous portion of the diaphragm,

(f) the heart fat and scrotal or udder fat,

(g) the tail posterior to the third coccygeal vertebra, and

(h) any portion of the carcass the removal of which is required for pathological reasons under the Meat Inspection Regulations, 1990; (carcasse d'ovin)

"yield" means

(a) in respect of a beef carcass, the estimated percentage of lean meat in the beef carcass derived from the primal cuts thereof, as determined by a grader in accordance with subsection 30(4), and

(b) in respect of a lamb carcass, the estimated percentage of lean meat in the lamb carcass derived from the primal cuts thereof, as determined by a grader using the prediction equation set out in the Testing Protocol; (rendement)

"yield class" means

(a) in respect of a beef carcass, the yield class determined in accordance with subsection 30(5), and

(b) in respect of a lamb carcass, the yield class determined in accordance with subsection 45(5); (catégorie de rendement)

"yield stamp" means the mark that is made on a beef carcass or a lamb carcass by a grade hammer that shows the yield class of the carcass and the grader's code and is in the outline of a triangle, as set out in Schedule V to Part III; (estampille de rendement)

2. Paragraphs 4(2)(p) and (q) of the Regulations are replaced by the following:

(p) in the case of a grading certificate issued in respect of a lamb carcass,

(i) the fat measurement,

(ii) the muscling score of each primal cut and the average muscling score,

(iii) the yield, in the case of a carcass that is graded Canada AAA, and

(iv) the designation symbol for muscling demerits, for meat colour demerits and fat colour demerits, if any, assigned to the lamb carcass;

(q) in the case of a grading certificate issued in respect of a mutton carcass, the fat measurement; and

3. Section 12 (see footnote 5) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

12. (1) A grader, or an employee of an establishment under the direct supervision of a grader, shall, when requested by a person in authority at the establishment to grade-stamp an ovine carcass, mark the ovine carcass with a grade stamp, in red ink, on the leg and foresaddle, on both sides of the carcass.

(2) A lamb carcass that meets the standards for grade Canada AAA shall, when requested by a person in authority at the establishment, be marked with the yield stamp Canada 1, Canada 2, Canada 3 or Canada 4, in accordance with the yield class determined in subsection 45(5).

(3) No lamb carcass shall be marked with a yield stamp unless the carcass has been grade-stamped Canada AAA.

(4) A yield stamp referred to in subsection (2) shall be applied in red ink, on the leg and foresaddle, on both sides of the carcass.

4. Sections 45 to 47 of the Regulations are replaced by the following:

45. (1) There shall be five grades of ovine carcasses with the grade names Canada AAA, Canada C1, Canada C2, Canada D1 and Canada D4.

(2) A grader, or an employee of an establishment, shall determine the maturity of an ovine carcass

(a) by examining its dentition; or

(b) by determining the presence of a break joint or spool joint and examining the colour and distribution of blood deposits in the joint.

(3) A grader shall determine the fat level of an ovine carcass by measuring the fat with a ruler over the twelfth rib and 11 cm off the midline of the ovine carcass.

(4) A grader shall determine the yield class of every lamb carcass that is graded Canada AAA.

(5) The yield class of a lamb carcass that is graded Canada AAA and that has a fat measurement set out in column I of an item of the table to this subsection is the yield class set out in column II of that item.

TABLE

DETERMINATION OF YIELD CLASS FOR LAMB CARCASSES GRADED CANADA AAA

Item	Column I Fat Measurement (mm)	Column II Yield Class
1.	Less than 13	Canada 1
2.	13 to 18.9	Canada 2
3.	19 to 24.9	Canada 3
4.	25 or more	Canada 4

(6) A grader shall determine the average muscling score of every lamb carcass by evaluating the muscling of each primal cut, by assigning a score ranging from a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 5 for the muscling of each primal cut, by determining the total muscling score for the primal cuts and by dividing the total muscling score by 3.

GRADE STANDARDS FOR CANADA AAA

46. The standards for an ovine carcass of the grade Canada AAA are the following:

(a) the maturity characteristics set out in Schedule I to this Part;

(b) a minimum muscling score of 2 for each primal cut and a minimum average muscling score of 2.6;

(c) flank muscles that are pink to light red in colour;

(d) a fat covering that

(e) a minimum of traces of fat streakings on the inside flank muscles.

GRADE STANDARDS FOR CANADA C1

46.1 The standards for an ovine carcass of the grade Canada C1 are the following:

(a) the maturity characteristics set out in Schedule I to this Part;

(b) a minimum muscling score of 1 for each primal cut or a minimum average muscling score of less than 2.6;

(c) flank muscles that are pink to light red in colour; and

(d) a fat covering that

GRADE STANDARDS FOR CANADA C2

46.2 The standards for an ovine carcass of the grade Canada C2 are the maturity characteristics set out in Schedule I to this Part and either of the following:

(a) flank muscles that are dark red in colour; or

(b) a fat covering that is yellow in colour.

GRADE STANDARDS FOR CANADA D1

47. The standards for an ovine carcass of the grade Canada D1 are the following:

(a) the maturity characteristics set out in Schedule II to this Part; and

(b) a fat covering that is less than 13 mm in thickness at the measurement site.

GRADE STANDARDS FOR CANADA D4

47.1 The standards for an ovine carcass of the grade Canada D4 are the following:

(a) the maturity characteristics set out in Schedule II to this Part; and

(b) a fat covering that is 13 mm or more in thickness at the measurement site.

SCHEDULE I
(Sections 2 and 46 to 46.2)

MATURITY CHARACTERISTICS FOR LAMB CARCASSES

1. Fewer than two permanent incisors.

2. Two break joints or, in the case of a carcass with one break joint and one spool joint, the break joint has four intact and well-defined ridges with at least a slightly red and slightly damp surface.

3. Ribs that are no more than slightly wide, tend to be rounded rather than flat and are reddish in colour.

SCHEDULE II
(Sections 2, 47 and 47.1)

MATURITY CHARACTERISTICS FOR MUTTON CARCASSES

1. Two or more permanent incisors.

2. Two spool joints or, in the case of a carcass with one break joint and one spool joint, the break joint has a dry and mainly white surface.

3. Ribs that are wide, flat and white.

COMING INTO FORCE

5. These Regulations come into force on the day on which they are registered.

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Regulations Amending the Meat Inspection Regulations, 1990

Statutory Authority

Meat Inspection Act

Sponsoring Agency

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

REGULATORY IMPACT
ANALYSIS STATEMENT

Description

The Meat Inspection Act is an Act that regulates international and interprovincial trade in meat products, the establishments in which meat products are prepared, the inspection of meat products and the standards to which the meat products must conform.

The Meat Inspection Regulations, 1990 presently do not allow for the slaughter of food animals that are less than two weeks of age unless the derived carcass and meat products are destined for export. The current age restriction was originally intended to exclude immature meat from the Canadian market place. This restriction also applies to imported meat carcasses and meat products. Canadian regulations do permit the slaughter of food animals less than two weeks of age for export purposes, and bobby veal is exported to the United States from Canadian establishments. In addition, there are no age restrictions on animals slaughtered in provincially inspected meat establishments under the jurisdiction of Quebec and British Columbia. Typical slaughter age varies widely by species and class, and is subject to several factors, but ranges from approximately 7 weeks for broiler chickens, to 6 months for market hogs, to 12-18 months for fed cattle.

The minimum age to slaughter food animals was inserted into the meat inspection regulations in 1990 in order to provide a clearer guideline regarding immature food animals. Other countries, however, such as the United States and New Zealand, do not prescribe a minimum age for the slaughter of food animals. There is no documentation in those countries or in Canada accompanying animals to slaughter which would indicate the animal's age. Carcasses showing signs of immaturity are condemned at the time of post-mortem analysis but a carcass derived from a food animal younger than 14 days of age will not necessarily show signs of immaturity. The use for human consumption of carcasses derived from immature food animals has always been prohibited under the federal meat inspection regulations.

For several years, countries have sought to export to Canada veal carcasses and meat products derived from animals under 14 days of age. This product is often referred to as bobby veal. In 1993, the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries submitted to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada a scientific study indicating that there are no significant differences in meat quality between bobby veal and veal derived from calves older than two weeks of age. Food scientists from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada agreed with New Zealand's conclusion. There is no health reason for prohibiting the slaughter of food animals of less than two weeks of age.

The age restriction is not the only means to identify carcasses showing signs of immaturity in order to prevent their use for human consumption. Carcasses showing signs of immaturity are condemned at the time of the post-mortem inspection.

In light of the absence of information demonstrating that meat products derived from food animals younger than two weeks of age are unwholesome, it is proposed to amend sections 68 and 72 of the Meat Inspection Regulations, 1990 to allow the slaughter of food animals under two weeks of age in registered establishments. The removal of this restriction will allow operators of registered establishments to process meat derived from these animals for the Canadian market. By extension, the importation into Canada of meat products derived from such animals will also be permitted.

Alternatives

(i) Status Quo

The status quo is not an acceptable alternative considering there is no justification from a health and safety or quality point of view to prohibit the slaughter of food animals less than two weeks of age. Furthermore, New Zealand has alleged that in terms of Canada's international commitments, the Canadian prohibition could be viewed as a non-scientific, non-tariff trade barrier that has been designed to selectively discriminate against the importation of New Zealand bobby veal products into Canada. The New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has submitted a scientific study demonstrating little or no difference in the quality of meat derived from bobby calves. The World Trade Organization's Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade requires that all "technical requirements" that affect trade must have a "legitimate" objective.

(ii) New Minimum Age Limitation

To set a new limit for the age at which food animals can be slaughtered in registered establishments (e.g. three days old) would not be consistent with the current evidence that meat products derived from young animals may be as wholesome and safe as meat products derived from older animals.

This option would also not address the issue of Canada's international obligations.

(iii) Inspection Guidelines for Immaturity

Rather than specifying a minimum slaughter age, other countries such as the United States and New Zealand prohibit carcasses showing signs of immaturity from entering the edible market. In Canada, the use for human consumption of carcasses derived from immature food animals is also prohibited under the federal meat inspection regulations. Meat inspection guidelines indicate the ante-mortem and post-mortem characteristics to be evaluated by the inspector or veterinarian in determining whether a young calf is immature or not. These guidelines will continue to apply.

Benefits and Costs

Removing the minimum age requirement is not expected to increase significantly the volume of veal calves slaughtered at less than two weeks of age. There is no economic incentive to do so. Currently, veal calves less than two weeks of age may be slaughtered in either Quebec or British Columbia provincially registered establishments, or in federally registered establishments if the product is to be exported. The volume is minimal.

Importation volume of New Zealand bobby veal is not expected to be large and would be seasonal with the peak during summer months. In New Zealand, surplus milk-fed calves are traditionally slaughtered at four to six days of age enabling New Zealand dairy farmers to ensure maintenance of year round grazing. The intended use for imported bobby veal would be principally as an ingredient in further processed meat products.

This amendment will provide a level playing field between Canada and a number of its trading partners (e.g. United States, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Australia) with respect to the import and export of meat products derived from very young food animals. The amendment will also enable Canadian federally registered establishments to compete more effectively in the domestic market with certain provincially inspected operators.

This amendment has no identifiable environmental impact. An environmental assessment pre-screening document is available on request.

Consultation

Early notice was provided through the 1994 Federal Regulatory Plan, under Proposal No. 30-AGR-1994. A consultation document describing the proposed amendments to the Meat Inspection Regulations, 1990 was also distributed in 1993 to obtain comments and advice from the meat industry, other government departments and agencies, consumers and animal welfare organizations. The distribution list included all provincial Ministries of Agriculture, all federally registered establishments slaughtering calves, industry associations such as the Canadian Meat Council, the Canadian Importers Association Inc., the Canadian Cattlemen's Association, the Consumers' Association of Canada, the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies and seven other associations interested in the welfare of food animals.

Twenty written submissions were received in reply to the consultation letter. Of this total, eight respondents expressed themselves fully in favour of the proposal. Support was expressed by the Canadian Cattlemen's Association, the Canadian Meat Importers Committee, and three companies involved in the importation of veal products or the processing of veal products.

Provincial authorities from New Brunswick, Quebec, Saskatchewan and British Columbia indicated no objection to the proposed amendment. There is no minimum age restriction for the slaughter of food animals in meat establishments under the supervision of Quebec and British Columbia provincial authorities.

No comments were received from the Consumers' Association of Canada.

Four of the respondents voiced their concern in respect of the impact this modification would have on veal trade, both at the domestic and import level. To address these concerns, the Market and Industry Services Branch (MISB) was requested to study the impact the proposed modifications would have on the veal trade. MISB concluded that this proposal would have minimum impact on Canadian veal trade, both on the domestic and import market.

The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies and other animal welfare interest groups have expressed their opposition to the proposed amendments. These stakeholders are opposed to any modification to the minimum age of two weeks to slaughter food animals because this would result in an increase in the number of very young food animals (i.e. especially dairy calves) being transported to auction markets and slaughterhouses. The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies does not favour the proposed amendment unless there are concurrent modifications to the Health of Animals Regulations respecting transportation of young food animals.

Partially to address these concerns, the federal government initiated a broad-based humane transportation review in 1993. Hundreds of stakeholder organizations were consulted from 1993 to early 1995. A 14-member committee with representation from all involved sectors summarized the input in the form of concerns and suggested solutions in a document entitled "Humane Transportation Discussion Document". The document was forwarded to stakeholders for comments, in preparation for a pilot project. The Humane Transportation Pilot Project was carried out during the September 1995 to September 1996 period. The purpose of the pilot project was to determine which initiatives could succeed within an overall humane transportation framework involving industry, animal advocacy groups, veterinarians, animal behaviourists, transporters, researchers and regulators. This pilot project was comprised of 17 separate initiatives, including one on imported veal calves. Results were evaluated by the Expert Committee on Farm Animal Welfare and Behaviour.

In 1997, attention focused on high-risk areas identified during and subsequent to the pilot project. Two factors associated with an increased risk of inhumane transportation are long duration of transportation and elements that compromise an individual animal's ability to cope with transportation stress. It is proposed to amend the Health of Animals Regulations to better control these two factors. Specifically, sections dealing with feed, water and rest for animals in transit are to be amended. The regulatory amendment process is anticipated to begin in the spring of 1998.

The amendment to the Health of Animals Regulations will include provisions to address the concerns of those stakeholders opposed to revoking the minimum age restriction on slaughter food animals because it might lead to the inhumane transportation of very young calves.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency distributed in April 1998 an information letter to interested parties announcing its intention to prepublish the proposed amendment in the Canada Gazette, Part I, for further public comment.

Compliance and Enforcement

There are no changes to the current compliance and enforcement measures. Food animals and livestock carcasses will continue to be inspected as usual, including ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection. Carcasses showing signs associated with immaturity will be condemned.

Amendments will be initiated to the Health of Animals Regulations to address concerns regarding the transportation of very young food animals. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency will continue to enforce its domestic Humane Transportation Program which includes inspection at strategic assembly, slaughter and transportation points, client education, investigation of reported incidents of inhumane transportation of animals, and compliance actions where necessary.

Contact

Dr. Frédérique Moulin, Acting Director, Meat and Processed Animal Products Division, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 59 Camelot Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0Y9, (613) 225-2342, extension 3820 (Telephone), (613) 228-6636 (Facsimile).

PROPOSED REGULATORY TEXT

Notice is hereby given that the Governor in Council, pursuant to section 20 (see footnote b) of the Meat Inspection Act (see footnote c), proposes to make the annexed Regulations Amending the Meat Inspection Regulations, 1990.

Any interested person may make representations concerning the proposed Regulations within 30 days after the date of publication of this notice. All such representations must be addressed to Frédérique Moulin, Acting Director, Meat and Processed Animal Products Division, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 59 Camelot Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0Y9, and cite the Canada Gazette, Part I, and the date of this notice.

December 3, 1998

MARC O'SULLIVAN
Assistant Clerk of the Privy Council

REGULATIONS AMENDING THE MEAT INSPECTION REGULATIONS, 1990

AMENDMENTS

1. Subsection 68(2) (see footnote 6) of the Meat Inspection Regulations, 1990 (see footnote 7) is repealed.

2. Section 72(b) (see footnote 8) of the Regulations is repealed.

COMING INTO FORCE

3. These Regulations come into force on the day on which they are registered.

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Footnote a

R.S., 1985, c. 20 (4th Supp.)

Footnote 1

SOR/95-216

Footnote 2

SOR/95-129

Footnote 3

SOR/93-342

Footnote 4

SOR/92-541; SOR/95-216

Footnote 5

SOR/93-342

Footnote b

S.C., 1993, c. 44, s. 184

Footnote c

R.S., 1985, c. 25 (1st Supp.)

Footnote 6

SOR/92-292

Footnote 7

SOR/90-288

Footnote 8

SOR/94-683

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