Some shipments of Canadian hogs, horses, and other livestock returning to Canada from the U.S. are suspended indefinitely.
A note from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to exporters says it took this action after horses on two separate premises in Arizona’s Cochise County tested positive for vesicular stomatitis (VS) in October.
VS resembles foot and mouth disease.
Canadian animals can return to Canada from the U.S. if specific protocol is followed.
Animals “returning on their Canadian health certificate can do so up to three days after the state they are in has been declared affected by vesicular stomatitis by USDA and must be inspected by the CDIA POE (port of entry) vet,” the CFIA’s note says.
Otherwise, an animal in a state infected with VS must be moved to a non-infected state and stay there for at least 21 days.