NorthWest Cattle Project

    Originally titled the Montana Pilot Project in 1994, this project was initially developed through efforts of the Montana Stockgrowers Association and the Canadian Cattlemen's Association. In 1997, several other states expressed an interest in cooperating, and the project was re-titled the Northwest Pilot Project and the first feeder cattle were shipped into Canada during the 1997-1998 shipping season. Due to some concerns over certain restrictions, some of the requirements were re-worked and the project was renamed the NorthWest Cattle Project.

    Under the NorthWest Cattle Project, animals being sent into Canada from the United States are restricted to a six month shipping season starting October 1 and ending March 31 of the following year. This six month season has been designated a low-risk vector season for disease.

    During the 1997-1998 season, approximately 786 head entered Canada under the project, all of which were yearling heifers. During the 1998-1999 shipping season however, the number of head exported to Canada under this project jumped to a total of approximately 37,749.

    The 1999-2000 shipping season showed another increase in participation. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency recently announced that the total number imported from Montana for the 1999-2000 season was 127,643 head of cattle. Mature cows for feeding and slaughter have totaled just over 10,000 head of this number, with the remainder being primarily feeder steers and heifers.

Export Requirements-Montana Cattle to Canada under the NorthWest Cattle Project

December 30, 1999

CERTIFICATE OF VETERINARY OF VETERINARY INSPECTION (CVI)

  • All cattle for export to Canada as restricted feeders must be accompanied by an original CVI (SV-7) signed by an official veterinarian of the United States, a veterinarian accredited by the USDA, or an official Deputy State Veterinarian.
  • "NWCP" must be written in the upper right hand corner of the CVI.
  • Three copies of the CVI (and attachment, if applicable) must accompany each truck. Two copies will be picked up at the border, the remaining copy will accompany the truck to the feedlot. The Helena office copy should be mailed immediately. It is advisable to make a copy of the CVI (and attachments, if applicable) for your files.
  • Please indicate on CVI (or attachment, if applicable) the Date, Time and Place of inspection (Inspection must be within 24 hours of export)

PERMIT

  • A copy of the permit to import restricted feeder cattle into Canada must accompany every shipment. (This permit is available from the feedlot owner in Canada- please call CFIA with any questions- 403/344-3808)

IDENTIFICATION

  • Each animal must be uniquely identified with an official USDA ear tag or a CFIA approved electronic means and the identification is indicated on the CVI. (It is acceptable to indicate the identification series of the animals in the shipment, rather than listing each individual animal identification.

SEALS

  • All exits of each truck or trailer must be sealed with an official USDA or State of Montana seal. Each seal number must be recorded on the CVI (or on the attachment to the CVI, when applicable). Please contact 406-444-2043 for State seals.

STATEMENTS

  • The following statements must be included on the CVI or attached to each truck's copies of the CVI:

    "The cattle on this certificate are being exported to Canada as restricted feeders as set out in Section 22.12 of the Health of Animals Regulations under authority of import permit number_________________" And

"The cattle in this shipment were:

    Born in and have been continuously resident since birth in the United States or Canada and have been continuously resident for at least 60 days immediately prior to export in Montana, which:

  1. is designated by the Minister as a low risk state for bluetongue with the meaning of subsection 21.11 of the Health of Animals Regulations;
  2. is designated by the United States Department of Agriculture as a Brucellosis Class-Free State;
  3. is designated by the United States Department of Agriculture as a Tuberculosis Accredited-Free State;
  4. has been assessed by CFIA as low incidence for anaplasmosis." And

    "I certify, as a Deputy State Veterinarian accredited by USDA-APHIS, that the above described animals have been inspected by me and are free from clinical disease are fit to be transported to Canada without undue suffering by reasons of infirmity, illness, injury, fatigue or any other cause. I applied seals bearing the above listed numbers to all exits of the conveyance in such a manner that the animals may not be removed without breaking the seals. To the best of my knowledge the animals described on the attached certificate meet the residency requirements noted above"

Note: Canada no longer requires a Vesicular Stomatitis statement for NWCP shipments. Also, please remember, the CVI and attachments are legal documents. Please ensure they are filled out completely, accurately, and legibly.