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McMaster University

Import Permits Restrictions

Your import permit will have a list of restrictions related to the handling and use of the imported pathogen.

Be advised that you must follow ALL SELECTED RESTRICTIONS OR CONDITIONS on your import permit.

 

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Restriction List

    1. Work involving any of the imported materials shall be limited to in vitro laboratory studies.
    2. Domestic animals, including poultry, cattle, sheep, swine and horses, shall not be directly or indirectly exposed to infection by any of the imported material.
    3. All animals exposed to infection by any of the imported material shall be so exposed and held only in insect and rodent-proof facilities.
    4. All equipment, animal pens, cages, bedding, waste and other articles under the importer's control that come in direct or indirect contact with any of the imported material, shall be sterilized by autoclaving or incineration.
    5. Packaging materials, containers, and unused portions of the imported material shall be sterilized by autoclaving or incineration.
    6. No work on the imported material shall be done, except work conducted or directed by the importer in the facilities described in the application for this permit. NO HUMAN PATHOGEN BELONGING TO RISK GROUP 3 OR 4 MAY BE REMOVED TO ANOTHER LOCATION OR TRANSFERRED INTO THE POSSESSION OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE IMPORTER WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR.
    7. On completion of the importer's work involving the importer human pathogen, the pathogen and all its derivates shall be destroyed.
    8. Primary isolation, identification and/or manipulation may be done in level 2 containment (physical requirements) using containment level 3 operational requirements.
    9. NO IMPORTED MATERIAL MAY BE REMOVED TO ANOTHER LOCATION OR TRANSFERRED INTO THE POSSESSION OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE IMPORTER WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR. (if this is checked, you must file a transfer application before transferring the material - if not checked, the transfer application is not required)
    10. The Director must approve all new work with the imported material that requires an increase of containment from level 2.
    11. No culture of Risk Group 3 or 4 pathogens shall be done.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Restriction List

    1. The original or a copy of the signed original of this permit and any other necessary import/export documetation pertaining to the shipment of the thing(s) must be provided for inspection at the first port of entry or to a Canadian Food Inspection Agency Import Service Center.
    2. The conditions in this permit can only be changed or amended by a CFIA inspector. Any change to the permit by an unauthorized person will render the permit invalid.
    3. The imported material must be packaged in appropriate shipping containers to prevent accidental spillage of contents during shipping. Importers should be aware of their oblications under Transport Canada's regulations concerning transportation of dangerous goods.
    4. All infectious material must be handled in appropriate animal pathogen containment level 2 facilities as described in Containment Standards for Veterinary Facilities, 1996, AAFC publication no. 1921
    5. The animal(s) or thing(s) imported under this permit must NEVER be removed from the premises of destination listed on this permit, even after the animals have been released from their post-import quarantine, unless written authorization is obtained from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
    6. Upon completion of the tests or experiments, the imported material as described on this permit and any derivatives thereof must be autoclaved, incinerated or alternatively disposed of in a manner approved by an inspector of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
    7. Records pertaining to the imported product's use, storage and disposal must be maintained for two (2) years following importation. These records must be made available for inspection by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency upon request.
    8. The importer is responsible for all costs incurred or associated with any testing or treatment of the animal(s) or thing(s) that may be required under the import permit or under the authority of the Health of Animals Act or the Health of Animals Regulations. The importer shall pay all fees for services required in respect of the importation under the National Animal Health Program Cost Recovery Fees Regulations in place at the time of importation.
    9. Consideration of an application necessary for issuance of a permit to import the described animal or thing is subect to Class 1 fees.
    10. The issuance of this permit does not relieve the owner or the importer of the obligation to comply with any other relevant federal, provincial or municipal legislation or requirement.
    11. Failure to comply with the conditions contained in this permit or with the provisions of the Health of Animals Act and Regulations may result in the cancellation of this permit and will result in the forfeiture to the Crown of the imported thing(s) or in the removal of the thing(s) from Canada, all without compensation to, and at the expense of the importer. The importer(s) are responsible for the imported thing(s), their freedom from extraneous disease, active or latent, and genetic or other defects. The importer, his heirs, executors, successors and assigns release and discharges Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada and CFIA of and from all claims and demands, damages, actions or causes of action arising or to arise by any reason of the importation of the thing(s) and agrees to indemnify and save harmless Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada and the CFIA from and against all actions, damages, claims and demands which may be brought in respect or arising out of the importation of such thing(s), any contamination with extraneous disease or other defects.
    12. Importations of any microorganisms that are also pathogenic to humans must, in addition, be accompanied y an appropriate, valid, import permit from Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
    13. The matieral authorized for importation by this permit is to be used in vitro studies or in vivo studies in laboratory animals maintained in containment facilities. Within containment, the imported material must not be introduced into domestic or wild animals (including birds or fish) unless written authorization is obtained from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Updates on the changing HPTA regulations, the new Canadian Biosafety Standards and Guidelines and more click here