Fusarium plan needs united approach – WP editorial

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Published: May 2, 2002

Alberta’s proposal to clamp down on fusarium represents an important

step in the attempt to control the spread of what has potential to

become a devastating disease in many parts of the Prairies.

As one member of Alberta’s fusarium task force aptly put it, fusarium

is the foot-and-mouth disease of the plant world. When compared to what

would happen if a case of foot and mouth was found on the Prairies,

Alberta’s proposal to keep fusarium infected grain out of the province

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pales.

Still, in the battle to control fusarium, Alberta must be cautious to

not bring undue harm to its cattle industry, which has become a vital

economic engine for the entire province.

Last week, Alberta proposed that all grain shipments entering the

province be certified fusarium free. Government officials mentioned

zero-tolerance, yet have also talked about allowing in some

fusarium-infected grain with restrictions.

That kind of flexibility appears wise. Without it, Alberta cattle

feeders could find themselves desperately short of feed supplies. There

is not enough barley grown in Alberta to supply the industry.

As well, feeders could find that the grain they do find is priced too

high.

Meanwhile, feedlots in Manitoba and Saskatchewan could suddenly find

themselves with plenty of available, affordable feedgrain if grain

growers there are unable to ship to Alberta.

While Alberta’s plan now states that all grain entering Alberta must be

certified fusarium free, there is a good case for allowing in some

infected feed grain, under proper restrictions.

For example, the shipments must carry with them the appropriate permits

and certifications, and be allowed only to go from origin to the source

where it will be fed to livestock.

At the destination, feedlots must keep detailed records and be subject

to audits to ensure the infected grain was properly handled and fed.

To bolster this case, feedlots in Alberta got some good news last week

when a Manitoba study reported fusarium does not survive through cattle

in the manure. This removes a pivotal manure management problem for

feedlots that choose to buy fusarium-infected grain to feed in blended

rations to cattle.

Of course there is no other option but for Alberta to declare zero

tolerance for fusarium infection in grain to be used as seed.

Logistical problems of whether there are enough labs to handle the

flood of certification tests that would be required, and storage

problems will also have to be studied. As well, the costs of the tests

run about $20 per sample and would create an added cost on already

cash-strapped farmers.

One other item appears missing from Alberta’s proposal. There is no

mention of a co-ordinated approach to fusarium control, one that

involves all three prairie provinces.

For only if Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba co-operate on an overall

plan to hold back this encroaching threat to farmers’ livelihoods, will

we have our best chance at keeping fusarium in check.

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