Chicken Farmers of Canada’s (CFC) Raised by a Canadian Farmer On-Farm Food Safety Program (OFFSP) emphasizes animal health, cleanliness and safety throughout each step of the production cycle and follows strict biosecurity measures to protect animal health and prevent flock infections from outside sources. The mandatory requirements in the program address biosecurity, disease prevention, feed and water management, and record keeping.
The On-Farm Food Safety Program has official recognition from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for being a credible food safety program.
In order to maintain CFIA recognition, CFC is required to perform a review of the OFFSP producer manual at minimum every 36 months. While a review is required, approval of modifications and implementation timelines are determined by CFC Directors.
CFC’s current manual was approved in 2013 and the last full review was concluded in November 2016. An update to the manual was done in 2017 to account for the elimination of Category II preventive use.
The review for 2020 included assessing current scientific literature and obtaining input from stakeholders on any potential changes.
CFC’s Production Committee has reviewed and assessed the suggested changes and is consulting with provincial boards for feedback on the proposed changes. Once complete, CFC Directors will consider the recommendations for change.
Key areas of proposed changes include clarifications to on-farm feed mixing practices, providing options for cleaning and disinfecting, providing details on in-barn hatching and brooding practices, and detailing the government approvals and label requirements for water and feed additives.
Once any changes are approved by CFC Directors, CFC will undergo a review of the changes with CFIA to maintain recognition of the program. Based on this timeline, a revised manual would be released in 2021.
