Breaking Down Trade Barriers
 

At the Canadian Sheep Federation (CSF), we are dedicated to breaking down trade barriers and expanding market access for Canadian sheep products. Through strategic initiatives and collaborative advocacy, we continue to strengthen our industry’s position both at home and abroad.

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International Market Access: U.S. Market Reopened

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We were pleased to see Canadian sheep and lamb producers once again have access to the U.S. market—a major milestone that reflects years of determined effort. Since the U.S. closed its borders to Canadian breeding stock in 2005, this barrier limited our sector’s growth and competitiveness. In December 2021, a regulatory shift in the United States opened the door to renewed trade. CSF acted quickly, working alongside the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to:

• Establish accreditation protocols for export-certifying veterinarians

• Address initial export permit challenges

• Secure export certificates for Canadian breeding stock to enter the U.S. market

 

These efforts resulted in the restoration of cross-border trade, helping producers capitalize on new market opportunities. We also successfully negotiated export certificates for cross-transit shipments to Mexico via the U.S., further expanding access for Canadian producers.

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Beyond North America, we continue to pursue opportunities in emerging markets. In 2022, we finalized export certificates for breeding stock to Kenya and initiated certification processes for Ecuador, Cuba, and Peru.

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Domestic Trade: Strengthening Inter-Provincial Access

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While international progress is significant, removing inter-provincial trade barriers remains a key priority for the CSF. We envision a domestic market where Canadian sheep producers can trade meat products seamlessly across provincial lines.

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One promising step toward this goal is Bill C-5, the federal legislation that enables mutual recognition of meat inspection systems between provinces and territories. This bill—if fully implemented—has the potential to remove outdated regulatory duplication and unlock new trade opportunities for producers, processors, and consumers across Canada.

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The Canadian Sheep Federation supports the intent of Bill C-5 and continues to champion science-based, risk-proportionate approaches to domestic meat trade. Through our participation in the revitalized Food Advisory Committee (CFIA, 2022) and direct engagement with decision-makers, we are:

• Advocating for consistent, outcome-based regulations

• Working to remove administrative burdens that prevent inter-provincial shipment of inspected lamb

• Promoting a unified Canadian market where local processors and small producers can grow

 

While much of this work is conducted behind the scenes, our position is clear:

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Canadian sheep producers deserve a modern, integrated domestic market—and CSF is committed to helping deliver it.

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