Are all PNTs and novel livestock feeds evaluated?
To date in Canada, all plants that have been modified through modern biotechnology techniques are considered to be plants with novel traits, or PNTs, because they have new traits. Because new traits can also be introduced using methods besides modern biotechnology, all PNTs are evaluated in Canada. For more information on these evaluations, refer to the CFIA fact sheets “Regulating Agricultural Biotechnology in Canada: Environmental Questions” and “The CFIA Assessment Process and What is Expected from Industry”. All novel livestock feeds must be assessed before they can be fed to livestock in Canada. This assessment considers the safety of the feed to: • livestock • humans, through exposure to the feed (for example, to workers or by-standers) or consumption of animal products • the environment. For more information on how novel feeds are assessed, refer to the Feed Section of the CFIA Web site.
