This article was originally printed
in the April / May 2001 issue of Tracking The Industry. . .
This article is
copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any form without
permission.
SASKATCHEWAN CERVID HEALTH SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM FOR CWD - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Q: Can I fax in the application form
for the program? Do you need the original form?
A: Yes, you can
fax the application form to 306-787-1315. You do not need to send the original
unless Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF) requires it if the fax is not
clear.
2. Q: What happens after SAF receives
the application?
A: After the application is received the following
happens:
a) Applicant is checked for current game farm license
b)
Applicant has reported last year's births and deaths
c) Applicant is
notified of missing / incorrect information
d) Date for physical inventory
by SAF is set-up with applicant. If CFIA has done or will be doing tuberculosis
(TB) testing between late summer of 2000 until late spring of 2001, their
records may be used instead; SAF will still need to do the calves if CFIA did
not record them
e) Physical inventory is done by SAF inspector or
provincially authorized person
f) Physical inventory is reconciled with
SAF's herd record on file
g) All cervid deaths over 12 months of age, from
time of application to physical inventory, have been reported and tested for
CWD
h) Director of Inspection and Regulatory Branch signs the application
form and official date of enrollment is established
3. Q: If I sign up for the program today
and you aren't coming to my farm until later (2 - 3 months for example) what
date am I officially enrolled as beginning the program?
A: At the
introduction of the program, SAF anticipates a large number of game farms
applying which will make it difficult to do all physical inventories within a
short period of time. To be fair and practical, then, the date the application
is received will be the date of official enrollment if the following are
met:
a) Physical inventory can be adequately reconciled with the SAF herd
record, updated at the time of application
b) Physical inventory is
completed on all cervids, including calves, before the end of spring,
2001
c) All cervid additions or losses are reported between the time of
application and the physical inventory. As well, heads or appropriate tissues
from cervid deaths over 12 months of age are submitted for CWD testing, as
outlined in the Sample Collection and Submission protocol
If a), b) or c)
are not met, the actual physical inventory date will need to be used for the
date of enrollment.
4. Q: Will the date of official
enrollment always be the date the application is received at SAF even if
someone applies in July or the fall of 2001?
A: Yes, the date the
application is received at SAF can still be the date of official enrollment.
The first rush of applicants will be over by this time, though, and the
acceptable delay time for the physical inventory will only be approximately one
month. The physical inventory must still be adequately reconciled with SAF's
herd records at the time of application and all cervid deaths, over 12 months
of age, tested for CWD.
5. Q: When you come to my farm for the
actual physical inventory count what will it involve and how do I need to
prepare?
A: You must have a current provincial game farm license and
provincial ear tags in all your animals. Each animal should also have a second
ear tag of your choice (e.g. H of A tag, visual tag) to make up the unique
identification record for that animal. You must also have extra provincial ear
tags on hand in case some animals are missing theirs. The physical inventory
will require all animals in the herd are available for inspection. A game farm
inspector or other provincially authorized person will read and record every
animal's unique identification tags. This usually requires putting animals
through a livestock handling facility. Animals with no provincial tags must be
tagged at this time. For large herds the inventory may need to be done over
several days.
6. Q: Can I use any ear tags to be on
this program?
A: No, you cannot use any ear tags. Your animals must have
a provincial ear tag, as well as a second tag of your choice.
7. Q: What if calving season occurs
after SAF has already been to my farm for the physical inventory count. What
happens with the calves and how do they become part of the inventory
program?
A: If these calves are born after SAF has done the physical
inventory, the annual birth / death report will provide the record on them. The
calves will need to have their provincial tag and second tag of your choice, in
their ears, by the time the on-farm inventory audit (head count) is done the
following year. These calves will be part of the inventory program.
8. Q: Do I still report deaths on my
farm when I haven't had inventory taken by SAF?
A: All farms that have
registered and not yet had their physical inventory must report deaths in the
interim period before the count is done. In addition, if the animal is over 12
months of age, the head or appropriate tissues must be tested for CWD, as
outlined in the Sample Collection and Submission protocol.
9. Q: Can I use last year's CFIA TB
testing for my physical inventory and not bring my animals through again and
still be on the CWD program?
A: SAF is considering using CFIA's
inventory from TB testing if it was done after late summer 2000. CFIA's
inventory would still need to be adequately reconciled with SAF's herd record.
As well, calves not recorded by CFIA must be physically inventoried by SAF
before the end of spring, 2001. If the CFIA inventory is accepted and the
calves properly inventoried, the official enrollment date will be the date the
application was received. Please also remember that all cervid deaths over 12
months of age must still be reported and tissues submitted for CWD testing
after the application is sent in.
10. Q: Can I use this year's CFIA TB
testing to do my physical inventory for the program and be able to officially
enroll in the program?
A: Yes, CFIA's physical inventory will be
accepted if it meets the same criteria as outlined under Question #3. If CFIA
did not record the calves on their inventory, SAF will send someone out to do
the calves.
11. Q: Will I have to bring my animals
physically through the pen to recount every year?
A: When the herd is
first started in the program, all herds must initially have a physical herd
inventory. The physical inventory will involve checking and recording ear tag
numbers and usually requires using a livestock handling facility. Every three
years, the physical inventory will be repeated. The physical inventory can be
done sooner, however, if you want to get on the same cycle as CFIA's TB
testing. In the years between the physical inventory, an annual on-farm
inventory audit (head count) will be done.
12. Q: I have both elk and white tail
deer on my farm. Can I only enroll the elk?
A: No, you must enroll all
cervids on your farm that share the same location and handling facilities. If
you want to enroll only one species they must be under a different game farm
license and different location.
13. Q: What happens to slaughter
animals? Do they get tested for CWD?
A: Yes, all animals over 12 months
of age that die or are killed, including slaughter animals, must be tested for
CWD. You will have to arrange getting the heads or the appropriate tissues
submitted to Prairie Diagnostic Services, as outlined in the Sample Collection
and Submission protocol. If there is a problem, please phone 306-787-6469 for
help in making arrangements.
14. Q: I have never had CWD in my herd
but I have a CFIA trace-out animal. Can I go on this program?
A: Yes but
CFIA policies regarding trace-outs would still have to be followed. Please also
remember, if a CFIA trace-out animal dies on the Saskatchewan program, CFIA
must be contacted, as well as SAF. CFIA will do the testing for CWD on
trace-outs and SAF will get the results from them to update their
records.
15. Q: What happens if you do find CWD
in one of my animals?
A: If an animal is found positive on
Saskatchewan's program, CFIA will be notified. CFIA will also test the animal's
tissues for CWD. If their results confirm the animal is positive for CWD, the
herd will come under CFIA's control policies.
16. Q: What about the Meningeal worm
testing that may be done on the heads. What happens if you find a
positive?
A: We believe the meningeal worm, P.tenuis, is not present in
Saskatchewan game farm cervids and is not established (enzootic) in our wild
cervids. Testing will help support our belief and prevent P.tenuis from
becoming a more contentious trade issue. The covering of the brain (meninges)
is a common site where the worm is found. As we have the heads already for CWD
testing we should take advantage of looking for this worm as well. If a worm is
found it will be sent to experts for additional evaluation. If confirmed
positive, the producer will be notified and their name kept in confidence.
Assistance to the producer, in handling the situation, will be offered. Other
jurisdictions that want to know results of our surveillance will be given the
statistical data but no identifiers will be used to jeopardize
confidentiality.
17. Q: Has there been a decision on how
embryos and semen will be handled on the program?
A: No, a final
decision has not been made. It is not clear yet whether semen or embryos may be
able to carry the CWD agent. To be cautious it may be necessary to treat semen
or embryos like live animals until the scientific community can
clarify.
18. Q: Who do I phone if I need more
information?
A: Depending on what type of information you need, the
following people can be contacted:
Physical Inventory and Herd
Appointments: Dwayne Galambos (306-933-5378), Kevin Augustine
(306-953-2729), Barry Belak (306-446-7571) or Trent Catley
(306-787-8661)
Applications, Certificates and Inventory Records: Mary
Jane Laville (306-787-4264)
Collection and Submission of Samples for
Testing: Shelagh Copeland (306-787-4700)
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