National Scrapie Program
About the program
The Canadian sheep industry is committed to the development of initiatives geared towards the detection and eradication of scrapie from the national sheep flock and goat herd. There are currently three national scrapie programs in Canada.
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National Scrapie Surveillance Program
The National Scrapie Surveillance Program was launched by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and several provincial agricultural ministries. The goal of this program is to identify infected animals so that proper steps can be taken to completely eradicate the disease from Canada. General requirements include reporting deads on farm over the age of 12 months and completing brain testing.
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More information on this program can be found at Canadian Food Inspection Agency or call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342.
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Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program
The Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program (SFCP) was developed by the CFIA in collaboration with industry as the basis for Canada’s on-farm, voluntary scrapie control program. Pathway 1 of the SFCP is OIE compliant, meeting international trade regulations put forth by the OIE. General requirements of the SFCP include flock surveillance, working with an accredited CFIA veterinarian, completing an annual inventory of all sheep and goats on farm and closing the flock or herd to females.
More information on this program can be found at Scrapie Canada or by calling 1-866-534-1302.
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National Genotyping Survey
The National Genotyping Survey is a leading-edge project that provides the knowledge base for increasing resistance of Canadian sheep flocks to scrapie. By genotype testing sheep, it is possible to determine the animals that are genetically resistant to scrapie. Because the national project includes ewe genotype testing, it is one of the most advanced in the world. Between 2005 and 2008, the national survey offered Canadian purebred producers compensation for genotype testing and shipping costs. To date, about 18,000 purebred sheep across Canada have been added to the national scrapie database. Producer participation in this program closed on December 16, 2008; however, a major final report will be released in mid-2009 citing new information on the genetic resistance of the Canadian purebred sheep flock.
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More information on genotyping can be found at Scrapie Canada and CFIA - Diseases - Reportable or by calling 1-866-534-1302.
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