Eradicating animal diseases like scrapie is critical to protecting animal health and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the livestock industry.
Scrapie is a fatal disease of sheep and goats. It is also a World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)-listed disease, meaning Canada has international and trade obligations to respond to suspected cases. If scrapie became widespread in Canada, it could result in a loss of markets for live animals, meat and animal genetics.
Not surprisingly, there is a strong willingness within the sheep industry and the animal health community to eradicate scrapie from Canada, as evidenced during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s response to scrapie at a farm in Eastern Ontario.
The Agency works closely and collaboratively with industry groups to monitor the national sheep flock for scrapie. When scrapie is detected, our response measures are based on internationally accepted science, and are carried out in a humane and respectful manner.
Unfortunately, not all animals infected with the disease show the same clinical signs. The only scientifically proven way to diagnose scrapie is by testing a brain sample.
We understand the difficulty this disease finding has caused the producer in question, and we have been working with her for over two years in a co-operative and respectful manner. We will continue to do so.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ian Alexander
Executive Director, Animal Health Directorate
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Ottawa, Ontario
Comments
The flocks should be destroyed if they find a case of scrapie in it. They think they are rare sheep now spread it around and there will be alot more till there is no more sheep or goats.
I would like to question whether or not scrapie was actually found in the "suspected herd". According to all reports, killing this complete herd resulted in proving absolutely nothing, yet the CFIA still maintains that it was the right thing to do, and persecuting an innocent owner is just.
Comment deleted by editors because of legal reasons
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