| | The Equine Information Document (EID) is a document that records the drug use and medical history of an animal for six months prior to slaughter. Not all veterinary products and supplements used in the equine industry are approved for use in equines intended for slaughter. Some of these substances may contain residues that make equine products unfit for consumption. To help ensure consumer confidence in safe Canadian equine products, any equine entering the food chain must be accompanied by an EID.
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Equine Information Document
Every equine presented for slaughter in Canada in facilities inspected by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) must have a completed EID. Equines include horses, donkeys, zebras and their crosses. An EID contains a standardized description of the animal and, at a minimum, a complete six-month record of the equine’s medications, vaccinations, supplements and illnesses. Customized EIDs will be accepted if all required information is documented and the format is approved by the CFIA. In completing an EID, the owner of the animal makes a legal declaration of his or her ownership and the animal’s health and medication history. The animal owner certifies that the information he or she provided is accurate and complete by signing the document.
Although an EID is not mandatory when selling an equine, it is required for any equine presented for processing at a federally inspected abattoir. Having an EID completed when selling an equine leaves all marketing options available to the new owner. An EID is not required for rendering equine remains.
Completing an Equine Information Document
The information that must be included in an EID is outlined on the CFIA website, along with an optional format for the document. It is important to be as accurate and detailed as possible when filling out an EID. All the information collected is necessary to identify whether an equine can safely enter the food chain.
The EID has three parts:
- basic information on the animal
- medical history
- legal declaration of the owner
The first part of an EID is the basic identification of the animal. This information ensures that an EID can be matched with the correct equine. The information includes the following:
- the animal’s location (premises or legal land description)
- primary use of the animal
- a written description of the colour, sex, size, visible brands, markings and scars
- the approximate age
- photographs or drawings of each side, front and back views.
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The CFIA website provides definitions of colours and markings to be used in the descriptions.
The second part of an EID asks three questions regarding the equine’s medical history for the last 180 days or during the time the owner has had control of the animal, whichever period is shortest. The three questions:
- Were any drugs, vaccines, supplements or medications administered to the equine? If yes, provide detailed information regarding the type, amount and withdrawal periods for the medications. Visit the CFIA website for a list of prohibited substances and the withdrawal periods for veterinary drugs.
- Has the equine been ill or shown any signs of illness or other abnormal behavior? If yes, provide details of the illness.
- Has the equine been treated with substances that are not permitted in equines used for processing for food? These include phenylbutazone (bute) and other veterinary products not registered for use in equines intended for human consumption. Visit the CFIA website for the list of prohibited drugs.
The third part of the EID is the owner’s legal declaration of both animal ownership and the accuracy of the health information provided. The required six months of medical history may be covered by attaching an EID from a previous owner. If more than one EID is used to cover the previous six months, each listed owner is legally responsible for the accuracy of the information they provide.
For More Information
To obtain a copy of CFIA’s Equine Information Document:
Visit www.inspection.gc.ca and search for the “Forms Catalogue.” In this list, you will find “Form 5624: Equine Information Document.”
For additional information:
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
1-800-442-2342
www.inspection.gc.ca
Horse Industry Association of Alberta
97 East Lake Ramp NE
Airdrie, AB T4A 0C3
403-420-5949
www.albertahorseindustry.ca
If you would like to learn about traceability, contact:
Alberta Ag-Info Centre
Toll free in Alberta: 310-FARM (3276)
www.agriculture.alberta.ca/traceability
For traceability related publications and information:
Traceability and the Equine Industry
Traceability and Transporting Alberta Horses (Agdex 460/843-1)
Federal legislation at www.inspection.gc.ca
Source: Agdex 402/089-1. 2014. |
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