Due to outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the U.S. cattle population, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is advising against all Canadian cattle — dairy or beef — travelling to and participating in agricultural exhibitions in the U.S. at this time.
The CFIA does not recommend travelling to these shows as it may pose a risk of exposure to the virus as the exhibitions could include cattle or poultry that come from states or regions where HPAI in cattle has been detected.
“If you still choose to travel with your animals to agricultural exhibitions in the U.S. despite the known risk, it is your responsibility to understand the increased requirements and documentation required this year. This includes any requirements of the event organizers, the U.S. authorities and the Canadian authorities, before crossing the border, at the event, on your return to Canada, and after returning to your farm,” says CFIA in a press release.
Cattle returning from the U.S. must also comply with further rules as outlined by CFIA, including:
- All returning animal(s) must be isolated to prevent potential spread to other animals (see ‘section 4.2.3’ in the Biosecurity for Canadian Dairy Farms: National Standard).
- Your veterinarian will need to take a bulk tank test and also test each individual returning cattle – calves, heifers or cows – between 14 to 21 days after return. The results must be shared with your CFIA district office, when you receive them. If the tests results are negative, the animal can be re-integrated into the herd.
- If results are not received by the district office in a timely manner, the CFIA will follow up and conduct a disease investigation.
- An additional test of the bulk milk tank 30 days after re-integration of animals in the herd is recommended.
CFIA says that producers must first obtain a health certificate for each Canadian animal before going to the United States, including an HPAI test. For cattle going to the U.S. for a temporary stay of less than 60 days, producers must have a USDA APHIS issued certificate.
See the full details of requirements of Canadian cattle travelling to the U.S. for a temporary stay, here.
