Another herd near Prince Albert, Sask., has tested positive for chronic
wasting disease.
The last herd testing positive in the same region was destroyed last
month.
That brings the number of infected herds in Canada to 41, almost all in
Saskatchewan with one found in late March north of Edmonton.
The latest case was discovered April 5 after an injured elk was
slaughtered and tested under a routine surveillance program.
Ken Stepushyn of the Canada Food Inspection Agency said an
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Bean prices have been slumping and the outlook is for more of the same.
investigation is under way to establish where the infection originated.
“We believe in Saskatchewan, and we feel Alberta is similar, that the
source of infection was from U.S. imports,” he said, alluding to
animals brought in from south of the border in the 1980s.
There are approximately 150 animals now under quarantine on the
Saskatchewan farm. A decision has not yet been made on their fate, but
in all previous cases, CFIA has ordered that herds exposed to CWD be
destroyed.
As CWD is a reportable disease, producers are compensated up to $4,000
per animal, said Stepushyn. That figure is based on current market
value, with the money released once the destroy order is issued.
