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Alberta Import Protocol
The following is a letter sent to the stakeholders signed
by:
Cornelia
Kreplin
Director,
Food Safety Division
Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
John
Knapp
Director,
Animal Industry Division
Alberta Agriculture, Food & Rural Development
Ken
Ambrock
Director,
Fisheries & Wildlife Management Division
Alberta Environment
We are pleased to
advise that the document, Requirements for Movement of Farmed
Cervids from Canada and the United States into the Province
of Alberta, was approved by both the Honorable Halvar Jonson,
Alberta Minister of Environment, and the Honorable Ty Lund,
Minister of Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.
This approval marks a significant step in the development of
cervid importation protocols for the province of Alberta and
will lead to the following actions:
1) amendment of
the regulation under the Wildlife Act, to remove the restriction
on white-tailed deer importation into Alberta
2) development of
detailed importation schedules (to specifically address relevant
animal health concerns),
3) development of
an import application and review process, and development of
a joint import monitoring strategy between our Departments
October 20, 2000
Requirements for Movement of Farmed Cervids from Canada
and the United States into the Province of Alberta
DEFINITIONS:
Region: a defined
geographic or political zone as determined by the Government
of Alberta for the purpose of importation of cervids into Alberta.
Enzootic region:
a defined geographic or political zone as determined by the
Government of Alberta in which a parasite or disease agent is
naturally maintained in a local animal population.
Herd of origin:
Generally all cervids held on a game farm premises. The full
extent of the definition of a "herd of origin" will
vary with and be determined by the nature of the hazard in question.
Animals on two or more geographically separated premises may
be part of one herd of origin if animals have been interchanged
within one year preceding the application for import and the
hazard may have been transmitted.
This protocol is
based on the current status of cervid issues and concerns as
outlined in the following documents: Risk Assessment and Risk
Management Suggestions for the Importation of Elk into Alberta
from within Canada and the United States (RAAC 1999), Risk Assessment
and Risk Management Suggestions for the Importation of White-tailed
Deer into Alberta from within Canada and the United States (RAAC
1999),and Risk Assessment and Risk Management Suggestions for
the Importation of Mule Deer into Alberta from within Canada
and the United States (Raac 2000) as well as Recommended Policy
for the Importation of Farmed Cervids from Canada and the United
States into the Province of Alberta” (March 3, 2000).
The protocol may be revised as appropriate or terminated by
Alberta Government officials, following consultation with representatives
of appropriate cervid associations.
1. The original
copy of the Import Permit issued by the Government of Alberta
and a Canadian Transportation Authorization Permit issued by
the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and any other necessary
documentation pertaining to the shipment of live farmed cervid
animals must be provided for inspection at the location and
to the official specified in the Import Permit.
2. For the purposes
of these conditions, only white- tailed deer, mule deer and
elk species and sub-species as listed in the Livestock Industry
Diversification Act are eligible for importation.
3. The animal(s)
being proposed for import must be certified in writing as captive
animals. The animal(s) must have been born and raised in captivity
and, so far as can be determined, must not have had exposure
to wild animals other than fence line contact.
4. All elk proposed
for import or donor elk in the case of semen or embryos proposed
for import must be proven to be free of red deer genes as determined
by a negative "Dratch" test (or currently approved
test for genetics) performed by a laboratory accredited by the
Government of Alberta. For Altai elk, the donor animals’
genetics must be verified in writing by mitochondrial DNA testing
done by an accredited laboratory.
5. Historical documentation
of all animals in the herd of origin, as required in this document,
must be verified in writing by the appropriate CFIA or Provincial/Territorial/State
official.
6. From the time
of birth until the time of movement to Alberta, the animal must
have been individually identified and have a continuous record
of its’ identification and movement. Such records must
have been verified in writing by the appropriate provincial,
federal or state official and presented to designated officials
of the Government of Alberta for examination prior to the date
of import.
7. Each animal must
be uniquely identified with two clearly readable tamper proof
dangle tags, one in each ear. If the jurisdiction of origin
does not require such a tag, the animal(s) proposed for import
must be tagged with appropriate tags purchased from AAFRD. These
tags must be applied before the animal(s) depart from the herd
of origin.
8. In the case of
semen or embryos collected from donor cervids, a Certificate
of Health and a statement signed by the collecting veterinarian
certifying that the semen and/or embryos were collected in accordance
with CFIA requirements must be provided.
9. Any change to
an import permit by a person, other than an authorized Government
of Alberta representative, will render the permit invalid.
10. A written statement
verifying the freedom of the herd of origin from contagious
or infectious diseases in general, and from the specific concerns
listed below, signed by the manager of the herd of origin, the
owner of the animal(s) proposed for import and a veterinarian
familiar with the herd and its health history must accompany
the application for an Alberta Import Permit. A third (or fourth)
party must witness the signatures on this statement. The statement
must also contain an acknowledgment of acceptance by both the
farm manager and the owner of the animal(s) of responsibility
for all financial losses associated with a subsequent diagnosis
of disease or parasites if evidence is produced showing that
the manager, owner and/or veterinarian have made false statements
regarding knowledge of previous history or contact.
11. Animals may
be imported provided the following criteria have been met:
11.1 Meningeal Worm
- (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) within an enzootic region
i) each herd of origin must be documented free of clinical signs
consistent with neurologic disease for a period of ninety (90)
days prior to import; and
a) only elk semen,
embryos, or calves less than six months (6) of age treated by
methods approved by the Government of Alberta; or
b) untreated calves or animals over the age of six (6) months
from a herd with negative Baermann results to a level of 95%
confidence on faecal samples from all the elk on the same premises
six (6) months of age or older, collected and processed as approved
by the Government of Alberta; or
c) individuals with
negative results to an approved diagnostic test, should one
become available.
B. outside an enzootic
region:
Elk herds which
contain or had contact with cervids imported from an enzootic
region in the previous ten years assume the same health status
as those within an enzootic region (see item A above).
Elk herds with no contact with cervids from an enzootic region
in the previous ten years must be documented free of clinical
signs consistent with neurologic disease for a period of ninety
(90) days prior to import.
White-tailed Deer:
A. within an enzootic
region:
i) white-tailed
deer embryos, semen, or fawns less than six months of age treated
by methods approved by the Government of Alberta; or
ii) individuals
with negative results to an approved diagnostic test, should
one become available
B. outside an enzootic
region with contact:
i) a region which
contains or had contact with cervids from an enzootic region
a) white-tailed
deer embryos, semen, or fawns less than six months of age treated
by methods approved by the Government of Alberta; or
b) untreated fawns or animals six (6) months of age or older
from a herd with negative Baermann results to a level of 95%
confidence on faecal samples from all white-tailed deer on the
same premises six (6) months of age or older, collected and
processed as approved by the Government of Alberta; or
c) individuals with
negative results to an approved diagnostic test, should one
become available.
C. outside an enzootic
region without contact:
no restrictions
Mule Deer:
Mule deer herds
must be documented free of clinical signs consistent with neurologic
disease for a period of ninety (90) days prior to import.
11.2 Tissue Worm
- (Elaphostrongylus cervi)
Elk: If the herd
of origin contains elk or red deer imported from an enzootic
region, only elk calves less than six (6) months of age and
treated by methods approved by the Government of Alberta may
be imported.
White-tailed Deer:
Not a known host therefore no restrictions.
Mule Deer: The herd
must be documented free of clinical signs of neurologic disease
for a period of ninety (90) days prior to import.
11.3 Arterial (Carotid)
Worm - (Elaeophora schneideri)
Elk: Herd of origin
must be documented free of clinical signs consistent with Arterial
Worm infections for a period of at least one year preceding
an application for import.
White-tailed Deer:
Herd of origin must not include deer imported from an enzootic
region.
Mule Deer: No restrictions
on importation of mule deer from a jurisdiction within Canada.
Concerns regarding translocation of arterial worm are currently
alleviated by the CFIA prohibition of live mule deer from the
United States.
11.4 Lung Worm -
(Varestrongylus alpenae)
Elk: Not a known
host therefore no restrictions.
White-tailed Deer:
A. within an enzootic
region:
i) white-tailed
deer embryos, semen, or fawns less than six months of age treated
by methods approved by the Government of Alberta; or
ii) individuals
with negative results to an approved diagnostic test, should
one become available.
B. outside an enzootic
region:
i) no restrictions
Mule Deer:
A. within an enzootic
region:
i) mule deer embryos, semen, or fawns less than six months of
age treated by methods approved by the Government of Alberta;
or
ii) individuals
with negative results to an approved diagnostic test, should
one become available.
B. outside an enzootic
region:
i) no restrictions
11.5 Muscle Worm
- (Parelaphostrongylus andersoni)
Elk:
Not a known host
therefore no restrictions.
White-tailed Deer:
A. within an enzootic
region:
i) white-tailed deer embryos, semen, or fawns less than six
months of age treated by methods approved by the Government
of Alberta; or
ii) individuals
with negative results to an approved diagnostic test, should
one become available.
B. outside an enzootic region with contact:
i) a region which
contains or had contact with cervids from an enzootic region
a) white-tailed
deer embryos, semen, or fawns less than six months of age treated
by methods approved by the Government of Alberta; or
b) untreated fawns
or animals six (6) months of age or older from a herd with negative
Baermann results to a level of 95% confidence on faecal samples
from all white-tailed deer on the same premises six (6) months
of age or older, collected and processed as approved by the
Government of Alberta; or
c) individuals with
negative results to an approved diagnostic test, should one
become available.
C. outside an enzootic
region without contact:
i) no restrictions
Mule Deer:
A. within an enzootic
region:
i) mule deer embryos, semen, or fawns less than six months of
age treated by methods approved by the Government of Alberta;
or
ii) individuals
with negative results to an approved diagnostic test, should
one become available.
B. outside an enzootic
region with contact:
i) a region which
contains or had contact with cervids from an enzootic region
a) mule deer embryos,
semen or fawns less than six months of age treated by methods
approved by the Government of Alberta; or
b) untreated fawns
or animals six (6) months of age or older from a herd with negative
Baermann results to a level of 95% confidence on faecal samples
from all mule deer on the same premises six (6) months of age
or older, collected and processed as approved by the Government
of Alberta; or
c) individuals with
negative results to an approved diagnostic test, should one
become available.
C. outside an enzootic
region without contact:
12. Until such time as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has
a program in place to deal with Chronic Wasting Disease, Alberta
will require documentation of the risk of the herd and region
as outlined in the categories identified in the “Risk
Assessment and Risk Management Suggestions for the Importation
of Elk into Alberta from within Canada and the United States”
(August 9, 1999) (see Appendix A) and decisions will be made
within the context of the document entitled “Recommended
Policy for the Importation of Farmed Cervids from Canada and
the United States into the Province of Alberta” (March
3, 2000). The documentation must be acceptable to the Government
of Alberta and include verifiable records of the movement of
all animals in a herd for the last five years preceding the
application for import.
- the animal(s)
and the herd of origin must have participated in a surveillance
and control program equivalent to Alberta’s for at least
the year preceding the import; and
- CWD must never
have been diagnosed in any herd where the animal(s) proposed
for import has resided at any time; and
- the animal(s),
or donor animal(s) must not have resided, at any time, on a
premises where chronic wasting disease was ever diagnosed within
the last five years; and the herd of origin must not contain
any animal(s) that have been in contact with any animal that
has been diagnosed with CWD at any point in the lifetime of
either animal; and
- the animal(s)
proposed for import must never have had contact with any animal
that has moved from the herd or point of contact and has subsequently
been diagnosed with CWD within five years of the most recent
time of contact; or
- the animal(s),
or donor animal(s) of the embryos, proposed for import must
not be the progeny of a sire or dam:
a) suspected or
known to be affected with CWD; or
b) known to have
resided at any time in a herd in which the disease has been
diagnosed; or
- the animal(s),
or donor animal(s) of embryos proposed for import did not originate
from nor have ever resided in areas considered to be enzootic
for CWD.
13. A statement must accompany the application for an Alberta
Import Permit verifying the aforementioned information regarding
CWD status and that statement must be signed by the manager
of the herd of origin and an accredited veterinarian familiar
with the herd and its health history and verified as indicated
in Item 5. The statement must be witnessed and have an acknowledgment,
by both the farm manager and owner of the animals, of their
responsibility for all financial losses or costs associated
with a subsequent CWD diagnosis if evidence indicates the manager
and/or veterinarian have made false statements or had prior
knowledge regarding the previous CWD history or contact of the
herd.
14. All animals
proposed for import must be treated with a suitable acaricide
and anthelmintic within 48 hours prior to movement and again
upon arrival at the destination farm in Alberta. The application
of the treatment must be verified by a licensed veterinarian.
The animal(s), donor animal(s) or semen or embryo(s) being presented
for importation must not come into contact with any animals,
products or equipment of a lesser zoosanitary health status
during the periods of residency, isolation, storage and transportation
required before arrival at the premises of destination in Alberta.
15. The importer
is responsible for all costs incurred or associated with approval
of the Import Permit and subsequent inspection.
16. The issuance
of an Alberta Import Permit does not relieve the owner or the
transporter of the obligation to comply with any other relevant
federal, provincial or municipal legislation or requirement
that may otherwise apply.
17. Failure to comply
with the conditions contained in the Alberta Import Permit or
the provisions of the Livestock Industry Diversification Act
and Regulations and/or the Health of Animals Act and Regulations
may result in the cancellation of the permit and the seizure
of the animals, semen or embryos involved and subsequent forfeiture
to the Crown or the removal of the animal(s), semen or embryos
from Alberta, without compensation and at the expense of the
importer.
Appendix A:
Regions (provinces
and states) where CWD is enzootic (Colorado and Wyoming) are
high risk, based on the estimated prevalence in free-ranging
elk of 1%. Also considered high risk are those regions with
a confirmed case of CWD or from which a case originated, and
herds which have animals of unknown origin or animals with incomplete
histories. Given the long incubation period, the lack of clinical
signs in some infected animals and the uncertainty regarding
the mode of transmission, case free regions with a history of
importing cervids originating from, or having contact with,
an enzootic or high risk area should also be considered as high
risk if they lack acceptable surveillance and control (quarantine/traceback/slaughter)
programs. If such programs are in place, these regions are considered
medium risk.
Low risk regions
are those which have had no confirmed cases of CWD and have
not imported cervids from high risk regions and are effectively
surveying for CWD.
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