VSFCP National Standards (Revised June 2017)

National Standards Index

4. Program Specific Pathway 1

Note: This pathway is available to sheep and goats.

4.1

The program includes six levels, from the entry level (level E) to the highest level (certified). A minimum of five years (one year each at level E, D, C, B, A) is necessary for an enrolled flock/herd to reach the certified level in pathway 1. Once a flock/herd has reached the certified level, it maintains this level provided that the applicable requirements continue to be met.

4.2

The status category is effective from the date when the flock/herd is accepted within the program, and the anniversary quarter for subsequent years is the quarter in which the acceptance date falls (Jan. 1-March 31; April 1-June 30; July 1-Sept. 30; Oct. 1-Dec. 31).

4.3

A brain sample from all sheep or goats over 12 months of age that die or are humanely destroyed on the farm (deadstock) must be submitted for scrapie testing by a CFIA-approved laboratory.

4.4

One-hundred per cent of animals older than 12 months that die or are humanely destroyed on the farm are to be submitted for scrapie testing. Animals that are unavailable for testing beyond the automatic exemptions detailed in these standards will be considered as per policy detailed by the status assessor. A program participant who does not agree with the decision of the status assessor may appeal the decision.

4.5

If no suitable samples have been submitted for testing for a period of time equal to or exceeding 12 months, at least one animal 18 months of age or older, which has resided in the flock/herd for no less than 18 months, is to be humanely destroyed (in any manner: slaughter, euthanasia) and a sample submitted for testing. If the flock is genotyped, then select a genetically susceptible animal to be humanely destroyed for testing. If humanely destroying an animal for deadstock testing will have a significant impact on the flock or herd due to its small size, a producer enrolled on pathway 1 may be able to advance using the alternative live animal sampling protocol detailed below.

Alternatively if no suitable samples have been submitted for testing for a period of time equal to or exceeding 12 months, an enrolled producer may be permitted to remain on the program without advancing to the next level for one additional year (allowing time to raise an animal for slaughter and testing). For certified producers, they would incur a one year status penalty dropping them from certified to Level A.

Alternative live animal sampling protocol

This protocol will be accessible when a process for submission, testing and payment in an approved laboratory is available.

To be eligible for advancement live animal sampling must include the following:

  • All eligible animals in the flock or herd must be sampled and tested by rectal (RAMALT) biopsy or third eyelid biopsy . Exempt animals are those animals with valid test results in the previous 12 months;
  • A minimum of three eligible animals must have been tested with valid test results;
  • Eligible animals are defined as all 171QQ sheep over 14 months of age for third eyelid biopsy and all 171QQ sheep and all goats over 12 months of age for rectal (RAMALT) biopsy;
  • Samples must be taken by an accredited veterinarian on contract and be subjected to testing for scrapie by a laboratory approved by the CFIA for that purpose;
  • Animals sampled and tested must have a valid test result which is considered a negative test result or, if the test is inconclusive, sampling and testing must be repeated a second time; and
  • If this live animal sampling protocol has been used to meet requirements to advance in the program at any level, then to advance from Level A to Certified, the flock or herd must have accumulated at least as many valid test results as there were test eligible animals present in the flock/herd upon enrollment* (this can be any combination of live animal and post-mortem test results).
Sheep

Scrapie Information & Facts

LABRATORIES COMPLETING OBEX
TESTING FOR THE PREVALENCE STUDY

Prior to shipping any samples, be sure to read all information concerning packing and shipping samples.

PRAIRIE DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES Inc.

52 Campus Drive
Saskatoon, SK, CANADA, S7N 5B4
PHONE: 306-966-7316

ALBERTA AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEPT

Agri-Food Laboratories Branch
TSE Laboratory
6909 – 116th Street
Edmonton, AB Canada, T6H 4P2
Phone: 780-422-4830
Facsimile: 780-415-4527

 

ANIMAL HEALTH LABRATORY

Laboratory Services, a division of
the University of Guelph
Building 49, OVC, Box 3612,
Guelph, ON, Canada, N1H 6R8
Phone: 519-824-4120 X: 54544
Fax: 519-821-8072

MANITOBA AGRICULTURE
FOOD AND RURAL INITIATIVES

Veterinary Services Branch
Veterinary Diagnostic Services
545 University Crescent
Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 5S6
Telephone: 204-945-8220

* if the number of test eligible animals was not known for a sheep flock upon enrollment (i.e. number of 171QQ sheep) then the total number of animals in the flock is used.

4.6

Introduction of female animals or embryos from the following sources, with a supporting zoosanitary health certificate, will have no impact on the certification level:

  • flocks/herds registered in the VSFCP at an equivalent or higher certification level (anniversary quarter will be taken into consideration); or
  • a country the CFIA recognizes as being free from bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and scrapie; or
  • a flock/herd registered (on the date of export or embryo collection) at an equivalent or higher level in a country/region/zone of origin’s scrapie flock certification program, that the CFIA has assessed as being equivalent to the Canadian program; or
  • In vivo sheep embryos of the 136AA 171RR genotype from donors with records that enable trace back to all flocks and establishments that they have resided and the donors are not known to be scrapie positive, scrapie suspect or scrapie exposed susceptible animals

4.7

A) Introduction of males from flocks/herds from the following sources, with supporting documentation, will have no impact on the certification level and these males will acquire the status of the flock/herd:

  • flocks/herds registered in the VSFCP at an equivalent or higher certification level (anniversary quarter will be taken into consideration); or
  • a country the CFIA recognizes as being free from bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and scrapie; or
  • a flock/herd registered (on the date of export) at an equivalent or higher level in a country/region/zone of origin’s scrapie flock certification program, that the CFIA has assessed as being equivalent to the Canadian program; or
  • rams genotyped 136AA 171RR or 136AA 171QR from sheep flocks of any status, but must not be from flocks currently subject to any scrapie disease control measures. Owner must obtain a letter from the seller attesting that the ram’s flock is not currently subject to any scrapie disease control measures and the ram’s genotype must be determined twice as per 3.20 and 3.21. Rams genotyped 136AA 171RR or 136AA 171QR are not restricted in their movement in and out of the flock except they must not be on a premises currently subject to any scrapie disease control measures.

B) Introduction of males from any flocks/herds and kept in the following manner will have no impact on the certification level:

  • must not be a scrapie positive, scrapie suspect or scrapie exposed susceptible animal. Owner must obtain a letter from the seller attesting that the flock/herd is not currently subject to any scrapie disease control measures;
  • must be maintained separate* from the female animals except during breeding season;
  • must be maintained separate* from the lambs/kids and lambing/kidding facilities at all times; and
  • these males acquire an individual status level but will start at level E and to advance must not commingle with animals from non-participating flock/herds or a flock/herd of a lower status. These animals are to be identified separately on the annual inventory.
  • males imported from the United States under option 2c) of the Requirements for Small Ruminants Imported from the United States for Breeding, Domestic or Captive Purposes import policy are required to meet the conditions of this policy and be maintained separate* from female animals except during the breeding period and from lambs/kids, and from lambing/kidding facilities at all times, and must never leave the importing premises without written permission from the CFIA. Written permission may be given for activities that would fall under the limited contact definition. Written permission may be given for imported male goats to leave temporarily for hand-breeding purposes, however this would be considered commingling and their individual status would be assigned to reflect this upon their return.

* maintained separate is defined as any housing that does not allow direct physical contact (nose to nose) between animals.

4.8

The flock/herd status certificate accompanying the purchase of the animals or embryos will be the supporting document required to attest to the certification level of the flock/herd of origin.

4.9

Introduction of one or more animals or embryos obtained from flocks/herds registered in the VSFCP at the same certification level but registered in a later anniversary quarter will result in the recipient’s anniversary quarter being moved to that of the flock/herd of origin. If one or more animals or embryos from a non-participating flock/herd are introduced, the enrolled producer’s anniversary quarter will change to the quarter in which the new animal(s) or embryo(s) were introduced, in addition to the penalty to downgrade to or remain at level E. Anniversary quarter will not be affected for flocks where these embryos or males have been introduced and have met the genotype requirement as set out in 4.6 or 4.7. Anniversary quarter will not be affected for flocks or herds where males have been introduced and met the requirements to be maintained separately as set out in 4.7.

4.10

If animals or embryos from flocks/herds of a lower certification level are introduced, the status of the recipient flock/herd will be downgraded to that of the flock/herd of origin of the lowest category. If animals or embryos from a non-participating flock/herd are introduced, the status of the recipient flock/herd will be reduced to level E. Anniversary quarter will not be affected for flocks where these embryos or males have been introduced and have met the genotype requirement as set out in 4.6 and 4.7. Anniversary quarter will not be affected for flocks or herds where these males have been introduced and met the requirements to be maintained separately as set out in 4.7.

4.11

With the exception of limited contacts (see definitions), commingling of animals from non-participating flock/herds or a flock/herd of a lower status will result in downgrading of the certification level to that of the flock/herd of origin of the lowest category (level E if animals are commingled with animals from a non-participating flock/herd).

4.12

Semen may be sourced from males in non-participating flocks/herds or flocks/herds of any certification level, with no impact on the certification level of the recipient flock/herd, provided that, on the date of insemination, the semen donor is not affected by scrapie (positive animal) or suspected of being affected by scrapie or from a scrapie exposed susceptible animal. The semen must meet the requirements of the national artificial insemination program.

4.13

The producer must make an annual request for advancement or maintenance of the flock/herd status within the VSFCP. The request must be accompanied by the annual report including animal inventory, and all supporting documentation must be submitted to the status assessor.

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