CFIA fee changes for fertilizers and animal transit

Summary#

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has updated wording in the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice to match changes in two sets of rules: fees for fertilizers (Part 5) and fees related to the movement of animals (Part 11). The fertilizer wording narrows what kinds of product changes need formal registration, and the animal section exempts emergency cross‑border transit from import/export fees.

What it does#

• Fertilizers (Part 5)

  • Replaces the item on fertilizer registrations to match the updated Fertilizers Regulations and CFIA guidance.
  • Distinguishes between “minor” and “major” registration amendments. Some label or content changes that used to require a registration amendment no longer do.
  • Removes outdated privileges such as “efficacy assessment” and “temporary registrations,” and replaces “renewal” with “re‑registration.”
  • The notice shows the fee lines for registrations and assessments, including the 2022–23 column with a +3.4% adjustment (examples shown):
    • Application for registration: $364.12 → $376.50
    • Re‑registration: $260.09 → $268.93
    • Minor amendment: $52.02 → $53.79
    • Major amendment: $364.12 → $376.50
    • Safety assessment (additional): $520.18 → $537.87
    • Maximum fee payable: $1,040.36 → $1,075.73
  • The explanatory note says these wording changes align the Fees Notice with the updated regulations and that the changes are not intended to create new fees.

• Health of Animals / Emergency transit (Part 11)

  • Adds definitions and a “non‑application” clause so fees in Part 11 do not apply when regulated animals transit through Canada or the United States during an emergency under the Health of Animals Regulations (see sections 17 and 69.1).
  • Explains how payments for quarantine space (item 20) are handled: 10% of the fee is payable up front (when reserving space or applying for a permit) and the balance before the animal is released.
  • The change implements the Canada–U.S. “Emergency Transit Policy” developed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture — Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) to speed movement in disasters. The related HAR amendments were published on June 9, 2021.
  • The explanatory note says this removes the need for case‑by‑case fee remissions in emergencies and should reduce administrative work.

Who's affected#

• Fertilizers
  • Businesses that register, re‑register or change fertilizer or supplement products with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, such as manufacturers, formulators and labelers.
  • Stakeholders who previously had to apply for registration amendments for label or content changes that may now be treated as “minor.”
• Animal transit and quarantine
  • Owners, transporters and brokers of regulated animals (for example livestock) who may need to move animals across the Canada–U.S. border during emergencies.
  • Operators of quarantine stations and private quarantine facilities and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency staff who handle import/export paperwork.
• If unclear
  • The notice describes fees and exemptions but does not quantify how often they will be used. The practical reach depends on future emergencies and industry practices.

Why it matters#

• For fertilizer businesses: clearer rules on what counts as a minor or major change should mean fewer formal registration amendments. That can lower paperwork and costs for routine label or formulation updates.
• For animals in emergencies: exempting emergency transit from import/export fees aims to speed cross‑border movement in disasters, reduce delay at borders, and simplify CFIA administration (avoiding invoice and remission processing).
• Practical note on fees: the notice contains updated 2022–23 fee figures (including a +3.4% column). The explanatory text says the amendments mainly change descriptions to match regulations and are not intended to create new fees. The document does not provide a separate, quantified estimate of savings or administrative cost reductions.