Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


CFIA delists anaplasmosis

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

by SUSAN MANN

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s decision to remove anaplasmosis from the federally reportable disease list is something the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association has been requesting for the past 15 years, says Rob McNabb, the association’s general manager, operations.

“It’s better late than never,” he says.

CFIA says in a Feb. 25 program adjustments notice to industry that effective April 1, 2014 the disease that’s caused by a parasite of red blood cells in domestic and wild ruminants is being placed on the list of immediately notifiable diseases. The change means after that date only laboratories and not farmers must report suspected or confirmed cases to the agency. In addition, the agency won’t conduct surveillance for anaplasmosis to verify Canada’s status for the disease and it won’t respond to anaplasmosis cases. Until March 31, 2014, CFIA has an interim, scaled-back disease response in preparation for the program ending.

McNabb says Canada’s placement of anaplasmosis on the federally reportable disease list was a significant trade irritant for the United States in the late 1990s “because we were claiming to be free of the disease due to the system we had in place and the U.S. isn’t.” The Americans saw this as a barrier to free trade, particularly for feeder cattle.

McNabb says there’s a very low prevalence of anaplasmosis in Canada. “We were still able to claim freedom (from anaplasmosis) because of the program that we had in place – that it was a reportable disease and when we found it we quarantined herds, tested and took out any positives.”

CFIA’s notice says the decision to move the disease to the immediately notifiable list was based on a scientific assessment. “The decision reflects the fact that anaplasmosis is established in the U.S.” There is a strong probability anaplasmosis will enter Canada from the United States and continuing to attempt to eradicate the disease within Canada may not be feasible.

That’s the argument Canadian Cattlemen’s made 15 years ago, McNabb says. “They have finally tweaked in to that.”

CFIA’s notice says the change enables it to focus more resources on emerging diseases, pandemics and foreign animal diseases. CFIA didn’t respond to questions in time for this posting about how much it costs annually for it to do anaplasmosis surveillance and respond to cases.

The decision won’t affect Canada’s international reporting obligations to trading partners and the World Organization for Animal Health. It also won’t affect market opportunities for Canadian farmers, the notice says.

McNabb says anaplasmosis is a production limiting disease. It is not highly contagious, doesn’t wipe out herds or put otherwise healthy animals on the brink of death. CFIA says it doesn’t pose human health or food safety risks. A human disease, called human granulocytic ehrlichiosis, was renamed human anaplasmosis in 2003 but it’s caused by a different microorganism.

Ticks and biting flies can spread the disease. It can also be spread through contaminated instruments, such as hypodermic syringes and dehorning equipment. CFIA says farmers can protect their animals and industry by implementing farm-level biosecurity and by contacting their veterinarian if they suspect their herd may be infected. McNabb says his organization and the CFIA worked together for the past two years to create a national biosecurity standard. Following training and education, farmers will start implementing biosecurity plans for their operations this year, he adds. BF

 

Current Issue

May 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

New board members for Ontario Pork

Friday, April 25, 2025

Ontario Pork, an association representing the 1,898 pork farms that market 5.9 million hogs in the province, has announced its new board lineup for 2025. As a Guelph, Ontario-headquartered organization, Ontario Pork is engaged in the areas of research, government representation,... Read this article online

Sheep farmers win Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers

Thursday, April 24, 2025

Sheep farmers and wool producers from Wallenstein, Ont. are Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2025. “It’s great to be recognized by your peers in the industry with an award like that,” Ryan Schill told Farms.com. “When we started the sheep farm, there were people questioning us... Read this article online

Ontario ag connections in the NHL playoffs

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

The 2025 NHL playoffs are underway, and some of hockey’s biggest names got their start on an Ontario farm or have invested in agriculture since becoming professional athletes. Farms.com went through each of the 16 playoff team rosters to uncover which players have a connection to... Read this article online

New Alcohol Trade Freedom in Ontario

Thursday, April 17, 2025

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has welcomed Ontario’s bold step in eliminating trade barriers and allowing direct alcohol sales to consumers. This new legislation aims to ease internal trade across provinces and support small businesses. One of the key changes... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top