Glacier FarmMedia — The national and provincial cattle organizations recently took to social media to reassure producers concerned about proposed traceability regulations.
The regulations are not yet in effect and have not been published in the Canada Gazette, Part II. That is expected later in spring.
However, some people believe new movement reporting systems are already in place.
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They are supposed to be phased in over time and help the industry respond more quickly to animal disease outbreaks and food safety incidents while maintaining market access.
The Canadian Cattle Association said it is working with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to ensure the regulations follow the industry-led Cattle Implementation Plan.
“There is significant misinformation being shared on social media regarding CFIA’s proposed traceability regulations,” the organization said.
“No new regulations were implemented on Jan. 1, 2026. CCA will continue to work with provincial members and governments to ensure that any proposed changes work for producers. We are calling for a pause to address the concerns that we are hearing.”
The proposed regulations would require premises identification numbers to be used to purchase identification tags, report movement of cattle and report arrival of cattle within seven days.
An online petition launched Jan. 8 to stop the changes said they threaten cattle operations.
“I believe that these regulations in the long term will lead to total government control, echoing concerns from the European agricultural sectors,” wrote Julia Fairbrother in launching the petition.
She said current tracking systems are effective, but the new regulations don’t consider that some producers don’t have cellular service or the proper technology to keep up.
“I don’t know a single rancher who doesn’t know where his/her cattle are at all times, or whose cattle they neighbour with, so why does the government need to know where everything is at all times?” she wrote.
The petition had 893 verified signatures the morning of Jan. 9.
