Wildlife Advocacy
Movement of live cervids and the threat of CWD
OFAH Works to Protect Ontario from the Threat of Chronic Wasting Disease in Deer Species
The OFAH wrote to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in April 2021 opposing the repeal of Section 76 of the Health of Animals Regulations, which governs cervid movement permits.
The justification is that chronic wasting disease (CWD) was then – and still remains today – the greatest threat to deer populations and that the proposed alternatives, such as expanded traceability and on-farm surveillance, were not yet finalized. The OFAH urged the CFIA to maintain current regulations until the new cervid traceability system and on-farm surveillance regimes are implemented and evaluated. The letter also called for stronger federal legislation to control the movement of cervids and their parts across international borders to prevent the spread of CWD.
In part, the CFIA attempts to justify the elimination of the cervid movement permit by stating that the traceability function of the permits “will be addressed with the introduction of federal traceability regulations for cervids.” We have been following the development of the Amendments to the Health of Animals Regulations, Part XV (livestock identification and traceability). However, at this time those proposals have not been published in the Canada Gazette, Part I. Simply put, we are not comfortable supporting the elimination of the cervid movement permits under the premise that another program will fulfil the role, having not seen the finalized version of that program.
Download and read full letter here
OFAH is for all Ontarians
Connecting the Hunting Community
The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is committed to providing inclusive and educational hunting programs that foster a strong, united community of conservation-minded hunters.
