Health of Animals Regulations

7 (1) For the purpose of preventing the introduction of a disease into Canada from an animal or thing imported into Canada, the Minister may designate a country or part of a country as being free of a disease or as posing a negligible risk for a disease.

(1.1) The designation shall be in writing and be based on the following criteria respecting the country or part of the country that is the subject of the designation:

• (a) the prevalence of the disease;

• (b) the time since the most recent outbreak of the disease;

• (c) the disease surveillance programs in effect;

• (d) the measures taken to prevent the introduction or spread of the disease;

• (e) the natural barriers to the movement of the disease;

• (f) the zoosanitary infrastructure; and

• (g) any other criteria relevant to the state, extent or propagation of the disease.

(2) The Minister may amend or repeal the designation.

(3) For the purpose of these Regulations, the Minister may describe, in writing, a part of a country.