Canada to Lift Bluetongue Restrictions

July 14, 2006 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) reported this week that it has revised its import policy, based on an updated scientific risk analysis, to eliminate current bluetongue-related control measures for cattle, sheep and other ruminants imported from the United States.

Bluetongue can affect wild and domestic ruminant animals but does not pose any human health risk. CFIA animal health experts have determined that the potential for bluetongue to spread in Canada, both in livestock and wildlife, is very limited. Climatic conditions limit potential transmission to only a short period each year, within a restricted geographic region.

As a precautionary measure, CFIA will start monitoring for bluetongue every year instead of every three years.

"The proposal, if finalized, would significantly reduce the burden on U.S. livestock producers shipping ruminants to Canada by allowing for year round importation on all classes of ruminants and eliminating bluetongue testing requirements," stated U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) deputy under secretary, Chuck Lambert.

Canada first made testing mandatory for U.S. cattle imports about 20 years ago but CFIA lifted this requirement for cattle bound for Canadian feedlots in 2004. Sheep were not included in the 2004 update.

"The sheep industry appreciates all the efforts carried out by the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on behalf of U.S. producers to accomplish this goal. It is encouraging to hear of the science-based decision to change the bluetongue protocol for exporting into Canada," stated Paul Frischknecht, president for the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI).

For more than a year, ASI has been working with the Canadian Sheep Federation (CSF) to change the bluetongue policy. As recent as its June newsletter, CSF stated its reluctance but decided to support this science-based decision.

"ASI is pleased that CFIA is moving its regulatory policy toward this common-sense approach which eliminates an unfair Canadian trade barrier toward the United States," concluded Frischknecht.

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