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.
