The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has released its finalized guidance document, offering clear directives on novelty declarations and pre-market assessments for livestock feeds originating from genetically modified plants.
This marks a significant milestone for the seed and grain sectors, offering comprehensive insights into Canada’s stance on gene-edited crops. Under these guidelines, livestock feeds derived from gene-edited plants, exhibiting traits akin to conventionally bred counterparts, will be subject to the same regulatory protocols outlined in the Feeds Act and Feeds Regulations.
According to Canada’s Feeds Regulations, novel feeds encompass those sourced from microorganisms, animals, or plants not previously approved as livestock feed in Canada. CFIA’s updated guidance, titled “Guidelines for the assessment of novel feeds: Plant sources,” confirms that feeds derived from gene-edited plants will adhere to regulatory scrutiny based on their inherent traits or characteristics rather than the methodology of their development. Thus, such feeds will only be classified as novel if they deviate from listed ingredients in Schedule IV or V or exhibit novel traits distinct from conventional counterparts.
In instances where novelty is identified, CFIA mandates a pre-market assessment akin to other novel feed ingredients, regardless of their conventional or biotechnological origins. This approach mirrors the regulatory framework adopted by the U.S. FDA for animal foods derived from GMO, emphasizing trait-based assessments over developmental processes.
The Canada Grains Council, Canola Council of Canada, and Cereals Canada have lauded CFIA’s guidance update, hailing it as a crucial step towards clarity for the industry. They believe that this guidance will foster continued investment and innovation in plant breeding, providing much-needed stability for stakeholders.