The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is looking for producer input on proposed changes to the Chronic Wasting Disease Control Program for farmed cervids.
The orginal program was designed to control CWD in farmed deer and elk populations through prevention and early detection, however we've seen CWD spread into new areas.
As a result, the CFIA is proposing changes that would see more regional control efforts with a focus on effective management in farmed cervids, while keeping infected animals out of the food supply chain and maintaining precautionary testing.
Stats show there are currently 402 cervid farms across Canada, with 29,655 deer and elk. Elk is primarily farmed in Western Canada with large herds found on farms in Saskatchewan and Alberta and about 3500 farmed animals in Manitoba.
The CFIA currently considers CWD to be established in Alberta and Saskatchewan, emerging in Manitoba and not detected in the rest of Canada.
A full outline of the proposed changes to the CWD Control Program can be found here.
Input on the proposed changes will be accepted up to the October 24th deadline.