Livestock and poultry production in Canada depends on drugs and other chemicals to protect the health of animals. Food animals may also be exposed to environmental contaminants or become the object of bioterrorism. To proactively protect the food supply, veterinarians need to provide producers with accurate withdrawal information on the disposition of drugs or chemicals in animals and their products.

With financial support from pharmaceutical and feed companies, veterinary medical associations, and livestock and poultry producer groups, Canada is part of a global food animal residue avoidance databank program known as gFARAD. Based at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and the Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, Ontario, the Canadian gFARAD provides information on residue avoidance to Canadian veterinarians.