Manitoba cattle producers want several issues dealt with before they
take part in future discussions about creating a smaller control zone
to manage bovine tuberculosis.
A meeting to discuss the smaller zone is scheduled for early September,
but the Manitoba Cattle Producers Association will not be at the table
unless three other outstanding issues are addressed, said Betty Green,
the association’s vice-president.
They are disease eradication, compensation to producers for the cost of
testing, and the length of time a control zone around Riding Mountain
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National Park would remain.
Since Aug. 17, TB tests and movement permits have been required for all
Manitoba breeding cattle destined for the United States.
If a smaller control zone is established around the national park,
those restrictions would apply only to cattle within the control area.
The MCPA wants a commitment from government that it will create a
comprehensive program to eradicate bovine TB around the park. An
infected cattle herd was slaughtered in the area earlier last year, but
wild elk are also infected with the disease.
On the issue of TB testing, Green said the Canadian Food Inspection
Agency should cover all the costs, since disease control in farmed
animals falls under the CFIA’s mandate.
Cattle producers also want assurances that the control zone will be
lifted in May 2004, provided there are no further outbreaks of bovine
TB in cattle herds.
Some producers are concerned the control zone will remain in place
beyond 2004 if other species, such as the national park’s wild elk
herd, continue to test positive for the disease.
The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association supports the MCPA’s position.
Dennis Laycraft, executive vice-president of the CCA, said his
association also wants a clear commitment from government that it is
determined to eradicate the disease.
“The sooner we can eradicate TB out of our herd, the better.”
