Manitoba cattle and bison heading south will be tested for bovine
tuberculosis effective Aug. 17.
The United States Department of Agriculture informed the Canadian Food
Inspection Agency earlier this month of its plan to pursue mandatory
testing.
Ken Stepushyn of CFIA was unsure how it would affect cattle hauled from
drought-ravaged provinces to Manitoba pastures.
“We’re still seeking clarification from the U.S. on this.”
He said the order stems from cattle testing positive for TB in
Manitoba. There have also been cases found within wildlife populations
in Riding Mountain National Park.
Rod Edwards of the Manitoba Cattle Producers Association said his group
supports all efforts to eradicate the disease in the wild.
Cattle producers say work on creating a TB management plan for Manitoba
is moving too slowly.
“We need to speed things up and eradicate it in the park; that would
solve the problem,” he said.
Edwards said cattle producers are awaiting more details on the order,
including what classes of cattle will be tested and who will pay the
$10 per head testing fee.
