Ontario - Scrapie confirmed at quarantined sheep farm

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Scrapie confirmed at quarantined sheep farm

April 27, 2012: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of scrapie in a quarantined sheep flock in Eastern Ontario. The disease was confirmed in a sheep that recently died on the farm.

Scrapie is a fatal disease that affects sheep and goats. While there is no human health risk associated with scrapie, it has serious impacts on sheep and the <ACRONYM title="Canadian Food Inspection Agency">CFIA</ACRONYM> aims to eradicate it from Canada. Canada?s approach to confirmed or suspected cases of scrapie is based on internationally accepted science and seeks to minimize disruptions to producers.

The farm was placed under quarantine because a sheep that originated from the farm had previously tested positive for scrapie. In early April, 31 sheep were removed from the farm in violation of the quarantine order. The Ontario Provincial Police is leading the investigation into the missing sheep.

The missing sheep pose a serious risk for scrapie and could spread the disease to other sheep and goats. Any premises that receive them will be subject to a quarantine and further regulatory action.

Quarantine breaches put the livestock industry and the economy at risk. Any person who breaches a quarantine may be subject to criminal prosecution under the Health of Animals Act.

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals...rapie/scrapie/eng/1335562749799/1335562940455

 

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Re: Ontario - Scrapie confirmed at quarantined sheep farm

Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news... RSS/Atom&utm_source=Home&utm_content=2417448

Ontario sheep kidnappers say infected flock is in ?protective custody?
ANDR? PICARD
From Monday's Globe and Mail
Published Sunday, Apr. 29, 2012 9:12PM EDT
Last updated Sunday, Apr. 29, 2012 10:00PM EDT

?The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has confirmed the presence of scrapie in a quarantined sheep flock in Eastern Ontario,? read the routine press release.

But behind the languorous statement is a tale worthy of a mystery novel, replete with the threat of a killer disease, a kidnapping by a shadowy group, the fate of a threatened species hanging in the balance, the Kafkaesque actions of a government agency and ? this being Canada ? a constitutional challenge for good measure...

 

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Re: Ontario - Scrapie confirmed at quarantined sheep farm

Canada?s scrapie control measures critical to animal health and economic sustainability of livestock industry

Statement from Canada?s Chief Veterinary Officer

OTTAWA, May 3, 2012: Recent media attention has focussed on scrapie and Canada?s approach to managing this livestock disease. As public discussion around this issue continues, it?s important to emphasize that scrapie is internationally recognized as a serious disease that demands science-based control measures.

This is why all suspected cases of the disease must be reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), which is responsible for notifying the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) when cases are confirmed. The significant animal health and economic implications of scrapie are another important reason that Canada instituted a scrapie eradication program in concert with industry in 2005.

While there is currently no scientific evidence that scrapie can affect humans, Health Canada recommends that infected animals should not enter the human food supply.

Scrapie is fatal to sheep and goats. Regrettably, there is no treatment or vaccine for the disease. Responsibly dealing with diseases like scrapie is critical to protecting animal health and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the livestock industry, on which thousands of livelihoods depend. Not surprisingly, there is broad support within industry and the animal health community to eradicate scrapie from Canadian flocks and herds.

Like bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), scrapie is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy. The disease is extremely difficult to detect. Infected animals may not appear sick, and there is no test to definitively rule out scrapie in a live animal. Scrapie can only be confirmed through tests conducted on brain tissue.

Because of these realities, premises are placed under strict quarantine when the disease is suspected, and potentially infected and high risk animals are humanely destroyed. The CFIA conducts stringent definitive testing at its laboratory in Ottawa, which is held to the highest international standards and is recognized as an OIE international reference laboratory for scrapie.

The CFIA recognizes that the steps required to control and eradicate scrapie have a significant impact on affected sheep and goat producers.

The Agency has empathy for those whose flocks are determined to be infected and makes every effort to work with owners in a consistent, respectful and equitable manner. Based on the strong, active participation and support of industry and veterinarians across the country, we continue to take positive steps toward scrapie eradication.

Dr. Brian Evans
Chief Veterinary Officer for Canada
Canadian Food Inspection Agency

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals...rapie-control/eng/1336050114883/1336057988281

 

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Re: Ontario - Scrapie confirmed at quarantined sheep farm

Scrapie: A threat to sheep, incomes and world trade

National Post ? May 8, 2012 | Last Updated: May 8, 2012 3:05 AM ET

... By unlawfully removing the sheep from quarantine, the group calling itself the "Farmer's Peace Corp" seriously puts at risk the health and success of the Canadian sheep and goat industries. What was initially a destruction order for 31 animals could quickly turn into the required destruction of hundreds of potentially infected sheep and goats.

As devastating as the loss of these 31 animals will be to the producer, it does not justify the impact this recent series of events has had on the survivability of the industry. Moreover, this action makes a mockery of the sacrifices that other producers have made over the years in the shared commitment to rid Canada of scrapie.

Murray Hunt, general manager, Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency; Stacey White, general manager, Canadian Sheep Breeder Association; Rick McRonald, executive director Canadian Livestock Genetics Association; Jennifer MacTavish, executive director, Canadian Sheep Federation.

http://www.financialpost.com/todays...+sheep+incomes+world+trade/6582846/story.html

 

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Re: Ontario - Scrapie confirmed at quarantined sheep farm

Case of abducted sheep grows woollier

ADRIAN MORROW
The Globe and Mail
Published Monday, Aug. 06 2012, 11:28 PM EDT
Last updated Monday, Aug. 06 2012, 11:28 PM EDT
...
Twenty-six of the sheep were eventually found nearly 300 kilometres away, on a farm in Grey County, and were killed. The others are still missing.

Michael Schmidt, a prominent dairy farmer who has battled the province to legalize unpasteurized milk, waded into the fray to act as an unofficial spokesman for the Farmers? Peace Corps.

At 7 a.m. on Thursday, he says, CFIA investigators armed with search warrants arrived at his farm to seize computers and cellphones. He would not discuss his exact connection to the Farmers? Peace Corps, but said he is being investigated on suspicion of conspiracy.
...
A CFIA spokesman confirmed Monday that the agency is conducting searches related to its investigation of the sheep abduction, but would not say what locations were the subject of its probe. Anyone accused of kidnapping the sheep could face both criminal charges and sanctions under the Health of Animals Act.
...
Full text:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/case-of-abducted-sheep-grows-woollier/article4466329/
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press release

Aug. 6, 2012, 1:16 p.m. EDT

Farmers Could Face 14 years on Alleged Conspiracy

Canadian Officials Raid Farms After Farmer Proposes Compromise on Assessing Disease in Rare Breed Sheep

Ontario, CA, Aug 6, 2012 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- On August 2 2012 the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) raided the farms of Ontario farmer Michael Schmidt and Montana Jones in connection with the disappearance of Jones' herd of genetically rare Shropshire sheep. CFIA brought 20 officers and multiple police cars to conduct the 7:00am raid on the Schmidt's farm. During the 8-hour raid, officers confiscated all electronic recording devices from the home and farm, including computers, cell phones and cameras. Schmidt and Jones both faces possible conspiracy charges that could result in up to 14 years in prison.

In March of this year, a group calling themselves the "Farmers Peace Corps" claimed responsibility for the disappearance of the sheep that were destined for slaughter due to a connection with the disease Scrapie. While Scrapie is not transmissible to humans and causes no threat to people, it is seen by the CFIA as a threat to other sheep. In June, the Shropshire sheep were found and immediately destroyed by CFIA. They all tested negative for the disease. CFIA is refusing Jones the appropriate compensation for her sheep.
More...
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/farmers-could-face-14-years-on-alleged-conspiracy-2012-08-06

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CFIA completes testing of recovered sheep

June 21, 2012, Ottawa: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has finished testing the 26 sheep found at a farm in Grey County, Ontario. Test results are negative for scrapie.

The sheep were among 31 adult sheep illegally removed from a quarantined farm in Eastern Ontario. Efforts to trace the remaining five sheep continue.
...
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-t...ases/20120621/eng/1340303916459/1340303952069