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If you have any questions, ideas or additions for the Scrapie program up to now or for the coming future please contact the Scrapie program co—ordinator. The Scrapie committee meets annually or upon any specific requests.

June 2008 Scrapie Canada Update

Frequently Asked Questions

As the number of producers importing sheep and goats from the US increases, so does the number of questions received by Scrapie Canada surrounding this topic. In response, Scrapie Canada is releasing a Frequently Asked Questions document to educate producers on US import requirements, specifically related to female sheep and goats. Below is a brief overview of the FAQ document. The full document can be found on the Scrapie Canada website at www.scrapiecanada.ca or by contacting Scrapie Canada.

  1. Why I am only permitted to sell imported females to other producers enrolled on the Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program (SFCP)?
    1. Selling imported females to other producers enrolled on the SFCP is required so continuous monitoring of imported animals occurs. Scrapie has a long incubation period, meaning the time from when the animal is infected with the agent until it shows clinical signs of the disease. Scrapie’s incubation period can be as long as five years, therefore, imported female sheep or goats must remain in a monitored flock (ie: one that is enrolled on the program) for at least five years so the animal can be monitored. After five years, the animals are considered “negligible risk.” Once an imported female is confirmed “negligible risk,” there are no restrictions on the movement of this animal.
    2. There are no restrictions on the sale of other animals or females in the flock. These restrictions only apply to imported female sheep and goats.
  2. Are there any other countries in the world that I can import from without having to enroll on the SFCP?
    1. Animals can be imported from countries recognized to be scrapie-free without the importing flock having to be enrolled on the program. Currently, Australia and New Zealand are recognized as scrapie-free.
    2. Male animals may be imported from the US, and other countries, without the importing or exporting flock having to be enrolled on a scrapie certification program.
    3. When animals originate from a “negligible risk premises,” the importing flock will not have to be enrolled on a scrapie certification program. It will take several years for enrolled flocks in the US to reach the level of "negligible risk."
  3. Why are the regulations different for males versus female sheep and goats?
    1. Males that are infected with scrapie are considered to be “dead end hosts,” which means they are not thought to be capable of infecting other animals with the disease.
    2. Females infected with scrapie are considered to be the source of infection for other animals. In infected female animals, the transmission of scrapie is associated with birth fluids and membranes expelled at the time of lambing.
  4. How do I handle shipping my imported females?
    1. When it comes to imported females, the producer should look at direct sale to another breeder who is enrolled on the SFCP.
    2. With the approval of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) District Veterinarian, imported females could move through breeding animal sales if an announcement of status was made prior to the sale. The purchaser must be enrolled on the SFCP and must continue to meet all program conditions following the sale.
  5. What are the implications if I sell an imported female to a producer who is not enrolled on the SFCP?
    1. If a producer has sold an imported female to someone not enrolled on the SFCP, he/she has broken the conditions of the import permit. The CFIA would locate the sold animals and place them into quarantine. The producer who sold the imported animals is subject to any or all actions CFIA chooses to take regarding this matter.
  6. Who can I contact for further information on import regulations?
    1. The list of Area Import Program Officers who issue import permits is located at the following link: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/imp/perme.shtml
    2. Canadian Food Inspection Agency District Veterinarians may also be a useful source. A list of CFIA District Veterinarians is available at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/offbure.shtml
    3. Contact your local CFIA Regional District Office. Phone numbers can be found in the blue government pages of the phone book.
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Scrapie Information & Facts

CFIA LOCATIONS

CFIA NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS

59 Camelot Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0Y9
PHONE: (613) 225-2342 / 1-800-442-2342
Fax: (613) 228-6601

 

ATLANTIC HEADQUARTERS

1081 Main St, PO Box 6088
Moncton, New Brunswick, E1C 8R2
PHONE: (506) 851-7400
Fax: Fax: (506) 851-2689

 

ONTARIO HEADQUARTERS

174 Stone Rd W
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 4S9
PHONE: (519) 837-9400
Fax: (519) 837-9766

 

QUEBEC HEADQUARTERS

Room 746-C - 2001 University St,
Montreal, Quebec, H3A 3N2
PHONE: (514) 283-8888
Fax: (514) 283-3143

 

WESTERN HEADQUARTERS

Room 654 - 220 4th Ave SE
Calgary, Alberta, T2G 4X3
PHONE: (403) 292-4301
Fax: (403) 292-5707

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