The Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association is keeping a close eye and ear to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s investigation into a positive case of Bovine Tuberculosis found in a cow that originated from a herd in Saskatchewan.
The CFIA said the six-year-old cow was slaughtered at a federally regulated abattoir in Alberta and confirmed the positive case on Nov. 29. The probe is in its early stages. Next steps include isolating the herd in question, testing the cows, tracing the infected animal’s path before slaughter, and potentially eradicating the herd. The investigation could take up to 12 weeks to complete.
Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association CEO Grant McLellan said they were notified the day after the producer was.
“We work closely with the provincial government, the chief veterinary officer of Saskatchewan and the CFIA as we move through this, along with other industry associations, including stock grower’s, livestock marketing, and cattle feeders. Certainly, this is of Interest to all of our groups and all of our producers,” McLellan said.
While all areas of Canada are considered Bovine TB free according to the CFIA, McLellan saif isolated cases can still pop up.
“It’s ultimately inevitable that these types of diseases will crop up from time to time,” he said. “They’re not particularly common. But with the amount of interaction that we have in our rural landscape between wildlife and our livestock. These types of scenarios are something that can happen.”
McLellan said this isn’t the fault of the producer as it can happen to anyone. That’s why it’s important and it is encouraged that producers keep records around traceability as well as strong protocols for bio security.
McLellan said it can be a stressful process.
“It takes a real toll on those producers where it’s found on their operation, but we are hopeful that we can move through this quickly and get to the other side of this investigation and get a resolution,” he said.
The CFIA is working with the producer on managing the operational impact of this investigation along with other industry associations and provincial and federal agricultural and health authorities.