Overview of the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Certification Program

May 15, 2013 — 

As of 7 December, 2012, Russian authorities implemented a policy that would not allow the presence of ractopamine hydrochloride (trade names Paylean®20 and Optaflexx®100) residues in meat (pork and beef) imported into Russia.

Russian officials have since indicated that along with a veterinary certificate, the CFIA must attach an official guarantee to each shipment that ractopamine has not been used at any stage of production in the feed of the animals at from which the meat has been derived. A program to achieve this end was to be implemented by April 30th, 2013 to continue shipping product to Russia.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Canadian Meat Council, Canadian Pork Council and the Animal Nutrition Association of Canada have contributed to the development of a program that will meet the need to guarantee that ractopamine has not been used or has been used only with appropriate control measures in place to prevent contamination in feed mills and Canadian hog production facilities.

Ontario Pork producers, CQA veterinarians, processors and the Ontario Agri-Business Association have all been provided with full program details.

Source: Ontario Pork News Brief - May 14, 2013