By Dori Modney (@Dori_Modney on Twitter) with files from Alberta Beef Producers

Full release of most herds impacted by Bovine Tuberculosis

Mar 21, 2017 | 2:04 PM

CALGARY –   There has been some good news for the Southern Alberta and South West Saskatchewan ranchers impacted by bovine tuberculosis (bTB) last year.
 
Although the Canadian Food inspection Agency (CFIA) investigation into the bTB outbreak continues, the majority of cattle operations identified as contact herds have been released from quarantine without any restrictions.
A news release from the Alberta Beef Producers, notes “a full release from quarantine is granted, once the cattle have been tested and found to be negative for bTB.”
 
Negative test results permit the animals to be safely integrated into the normal trading activities of the Canadian cattle industry. The cattle previously impacted by the quarantine, “carry no higher risk than other animals in Canada, and quite possibly a lower risk given that the whole herd has been tested, and any reactor animals removed.
 
A full release from quarantine is in effect a clean bill of health with regard to bTB. It means the animals can be sold, and can be integrated into other herds. However, the standard records for the animals must be maintained.  It includes the following:

— CCIA tag numbers
— Age and gender of the animals
— Date any animals were removed from the premise
— Destination to which the animals were moved

The early release is suppoRted by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, Alberta Beef Producers, Saskatchewan’s Cattlemen’s Association, and other industry groups, to help producers resume  operations without risk to the industry.

Further information is available at Alberta Beef  or on the CFIA website.