CFIA MAKES PROPOSAL ON BLUETONGUE ISSUE
The current Canadian policy on Bluetongue, a major trade irritant to United States cattle exporters, is one step closer to being eliminated. American cattle organizations such as the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) have indicated alterations to Canadian policy on bluetongue and anaplasmosis would increase the likelihood of American support for the currently blocked importation of over-thirty-month Canadian cattle.
After carefully weighing the relevant scientific information the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is proposing, that in addition to eastern Canada, bluetongue restrictions be lifted for all classes of cattle, deer, goats, sheep and other ruminants imported year round into western Canada from any state in the US. In addition, it is proposed that bluetongue be changed from being a reportable disease to immediately notifiable. This means that movement controls would no longer apply. Rather, the CFIA would not intervene beyond an investigation into death losses in domestic ruminants such as deer and sheep in the event of a bluetongue incursion. Easing restrictions would also mean that movement controls for animals moving out of the Okanagan Valley to other areas in Canada would no longer apply even if bluetongue activity is detected.
By making bluetongue immediately notifiable the CFIA would still be able to fulfill its international reporting obligations to trading partners and the World Organization for Animal Health, commonly referred to as the OIE. Under OIE guidelines a country is required to immediately report the first detection of bluetongue and/or the introduction of new serotypes.
Although the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) consider that the likelihood of bluetongue incursions are negligible, they have indicated that they will establish an indemnity fund for five years to offset any death losses should they arise in sheep flocks in western Canada. After this time CCA consider that sufficient experience would have been gained to finally conclude that the likelihood of bluetongue incursions and any associated impact is negligible.
A risk assessment on anaplasmosis is also currently underway, and the CFIA will release a consultation paper once it is finalized.