Deer producers question CWD tests

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Published: March 28, 2002

Saskatchewan deer producers are grappling with the consequences of

chronic wasting disease, even though none of their animals has tested

positive.

As of Jan. 31, all 588 cervid game farms had to enrol in the province’s

mandatory CWD surveillance program, implemented after the disease was

found in farmed elk. As well, two wild mule deer have tested positive.

Producers at the recent Saskatchewan Whitetail and Mule Deer Producers

Association convention identified several concerns with the program.

One wanted to know why enrolment dates, based on the date a physical

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inventory is done, would be grouped into three-month periods. A

difference of one day could determine into which quarter of the year a

herd is placed, and that could hinder business, he said.

Producers are only allowed to trade with others in the same testing

period without losing their herd status, although animals from herds

with higher status may be sold to herds with lower status.

Because the use of individual dates to determine status would be

cumbersome, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency had proposed using the

three-month periods. The province wants four-month blocks, which would

fit better with breeding, calving and velvet seasons.

Individual dates are being used until a decision is made.

Shelagh Copeland, of Saskatchewan Agriculture’s inspection and

regulatory management branch, said the department wants a credible

program to assure trading partners that a herd is clean.

She said the time from contracting the disease to death is about 36

months.

“If we can get a herd started … and in 36 months nothing shows up, we

can be pretty sure that herd is free.”

Copeland said the province hopes to start moving slaughter animals out

of the province in a year or 18 months.

“Those months do start to get important.”

She said there are also rumours that several U.S. states are developing

protocols regarding imports, which will also make the test enrolment

dates important.

Copeland said anyone buying cervids from game farms should ask the

seller for official proof of herd status. The onus is on the seller to

produce it.

Semen shipments are still allowed.

“Semen is considered of no risk,” she said.

However, Serge Buy, executive director of the Canadian Cervid Council,

said some countries are “trying to play hard ball” and are including

semen in import bans.

“It’s a trade advantage that they want to use.”

One producer questioned why Saskatchewan producers have to be so

careful when there has been no sign of CWD in white-tailed deer.

Buy said there have been cases in other places and producers need to be

careful.

Another wondered how surveillance of deer on hunt farms is being

handled.

Copeland said the province has suggested putting them on separate

licences with a separate status.

Inventory would be established by transportation permits of animals

going onto the farms and the testing of heads coming off the farms.

About the author

Karen Briere

Karen Briere

Karen Briere grew up in Canora, Sask. where her family had a grain and cattle operation. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Regina and has spent more than 30 years covering agriculture from the Western Producer’s Regina bureau.

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