An elk rancher from Maidstone, Sask., will appeal his conviction on eight counts under the Health of Animals Act.
Rick Alsager was convicted and fined $69,000 in Saskatchewan provincial court in Lloydminster Jan. 24 for moving animals without a permit, breach of quarantine orders and obstruction of inspectors.
Also named in the suit were Alsager’s family farm, Idanell Korner Ranch, and a numbered company, 587214 Saskatchewan Ltd.
“I believe it’s totally outrageous,” Alsager said of the decision.
He said the government’s handling of the farmed elk industry and the subsequent outbreak of chronic wasting disease have led to the industry’s demise.
Read Also
U.S. farm group supports supply management
U.S. grassroots farm advocacy group pushing new agriculture legislation that would move towards supply management like Canada has for dairy industry
Alsager’s convictions came as a result of a Canadian Food Inspection Agency investigation in 2001-02.
Inspectors found that 36 elk had been moved without permission and without a licence onto land declared infected, which led to the quarantine of those animals for three years to rule out further infection.
Alan Klemmer, CFIA inspection manager in Saskatoon, said such measures are implemented to minimize exposure to other animals.
“Quarantine is one of the most important parts of a disease control and eradication program,” he said.
Klemmer noted Alsager also prevented CFIA from doing routine inspections of the quarantined herd, which is permitted by law under the Health of Animals Act.
“It’s important quarantines are effectively monitored for the industry as a whole and for the health of the national herd as a whole.”
