Privacy Impact Assessment of Part XV (Animal Identification) of the Health of Animals Regulations

Introduction

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) administers and enforces Part XV of the Health of Animals Regulations, which establishes and governs a national identification program for animals. Under this authority, the CFIA has entered into an agreement with the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) for administering the animal identification program.

As part of the role of Administrator, the CCIA maintains a database to track the sale and distribution of approved ear tags that are applied to animal species covered under the Regulations, along with their import, export, slaughter and off-site disposal. The CCIA database includes personal information collected at the point of sale including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals to whom the ear tags are sold. This information is gathered under the authority of the Health of Animals Regulations.

Objective

This Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) evaluates whether the current arrangements for administering Part XV of the Health of Animals Regulations (Animal Identification) comply with the requirements of Treasury Board Secretariat policies and the Privacy Act of Canada.

Description

The Privacy Act defines personal information as information about an identifiable individual that is recorded in any form. Clearly, the animal identification program involves collecting, using, and retaining personal information because it involves the names and addresses of persons who purchase the required tags. This PIA was conducted, as required by Treasury Board Secretariat policy, because the administration of Part XV of the Health of Animals Regulations involves personal information.

Conclusion

As a result of the PIA, measures have been identified to mitigate any risks associated with collecting personal information. These include strengthening agreements, providing directives and schedules for retaining and disposing of information, and completing a threat risk assessment.