CFIA Hatchery Fees Update

Summary#

This item updates parts of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice to match changes made in the Health of Animals Regulations for hatcheries. It mainly changes wording and the list of hatchery services; it does not propose new fee amounts in this first phase.

What it does#

• Replaces the table entries for hatchery services (previously items 34 to 39) in Part 11, Section 2 (Health of Animals Fees) of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice.
• Uses the term “licence” instead of “permit” to match the updated Health of Animals Regulations and to keep cost recovery for licences.
• Removes services that are no longer applicable under the updated regulations (items listed in the notice such as 34, 36 and parts of 38–39).
• Combines and reorganizes some items (for example, item 38 was updated to incorporate what had been 38(b)(i)).
• Updates wording about testing requirements to match the new regulations.
• Shows the table with three listed services and fees:
  • Application for a hatchery licence: $333.58 (2020–21) → $332.91 (2021–22)
  • Evaluation of a licensed hatchery (annual): $66.72 (2020–21) → $66.59 (2021–22)
  • Inspection to evaluate mitigation and sanitary condition: $150.11 (2020–21) → $149.81 (2021–22)
• Notes this is the first of two phases. The agency says it will follow up with a second phase that will consult stakeholders about fee amounts and introduce fees for licence renewals.
• The table refers to a small adjustment of -0.2% starting March 31, 2022.

Who's affected#

• Operators of commercial hatcheries and anyone who applies for a hatchery licence with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
• Poultry and egg industry businesses that need inspections, evaluations, or licences.
• Service providers and stakeholders who deal with hatchery regulation and testing.
• If unclear: the notice is narrowly focused on hatchery-related services; it does not say other groups are affected.

Why it matters#

• The wording changes align the fee rules with the new hatchery regulations. That reduces confusion about what the agency charges for and why.
• Keeping the term “licence” clear lets the CFIA continue to recover costs for licensing activities.
• Deleting obsolete services may simplify what hatchery operators have to pay for now, but the second phase could change fees or add licence renewal fees — so affected businesses should watch for that consultation.
• Overall, this is largely a technical cleanup rather than a major policy or immediate price change.