Reporting Visits to Farms

Whether you are visiting a farm abroad or at home, you have a role to play in helping to keep Canada's animals healthy. Visiting a farm in another country might seem like a harmless activity, but it could expose you to diseases or pests that could pose a threat to you and your family's health, Canadian farms and wild animals, the environment, incomes of farmers and producers, and the economy.

Around the world, threats related to diseases, pests, and the environment are constantly changing. These changes can impact what risks food, plants, animals and potentially soil pose to Canada. To be sure, seek advice before travelling.

Many travellers fail to declare things like meat, animal hides, live birds, plants, fruit and recent visits to farms. In general, this happens because most travellers are unaware of the hazards - but the risks to Canada's animals and plants are very real.

If you plan to visit a farm during your visit to another country, find out what precautions to take before leaving Canada. If you have been abroad and visited a farm or have come in contact with any wild animals, postpone any farm visits in Canada for one week. Disinfect the footwear you wore, wash your clothing thoroughly and dry it at a high temperature.

On returning to Canada, complete the areas of your Customs Declaration Card regarding farm visits. This information helps border services staff prevent the introduction of disease into Canada. Every traveller entering Canada must declare all food, plants, animals and related products because they could affect Canada's animals, plants, and natural habitats. Only items that do not pose a risk are allowed in.