Following the tragic loss of dogs on a Ukrainian flight that arrived in Toronto on June 13
th, 2020, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has released a statement that commercial import permits for dogs less than 8 months old coming from the Ukraine will no longer be issued. More information on CKC’s statement on the Ukrainian flight incident can be found
here.
In their July 6
th statement, the CFIA states:
“Effective July 6, 2020, the CFIA will no longer issue new permits for the importation of commercial dogs under 8 months of age from Ukraine.
The CFIA's decision is based on investigation findings of possible failures to comply with import requirements, including animal welfare concerns. These actions will remain in effect until the CFIA is satisfied that import conditions and international transport standards are in place and that animals will travel safely in the future.”
Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) is pleased with CFIA’s decision to impose these new restrictions and we are cautiously optimistic they will contribute to an increased dialog on this issue that will have a lasting impact on the mass importation of dogs into Canada.
The large-scale importation of dogs and associated diseases into Canada is of grave concern to CKC. While this decision is a positive first-step, stronger regulations that permit the safe importation of small numbers of dogs for legitimate purposes, while restricting the mass importation of dogs into Canada, are still needed.
CKC continues to work with the American Kennel Club (AKC), National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA), and other organizations including the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and CFIA to strengthen dog importation regulations and develop proposed legislative changes that protect animal and public health from the risks associated with mass dog importation. More information on our work with the AKC and NAIA can be found
here.
CKC and its members are resolute in our stance that stronger government regulations are needed to control the mass importation of dogs while respecting the legitimate need for our members to import small numbers of purebred dogs safely for the purposes of breeding, events and competition. CKC’s policy statement on the importation of dogs into Canada can be viewed
here.