Chronic Wasting Disease Voluntary Herd Certification Program
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) belongs to the family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), or prion disease. Though it shares features with other TSEs, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle and scrapie in sheep and goats, it is a distinct disease only known at this time to naturally affect members of the deer (cervid) family. In 2002, the CFIA established national standards for a Voluntary Herd Certification Program (VHCP) to provide cervid owners with tools to help mitigate the risk of developing CWD and the opportunity to have their herds identified as elite with respect to CWD. The Canadian Sheep Federation serves as CWD VHCP Regional Administrator and Status Assessor for cervids farms located in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.
What is the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Voluntary Herd Certification Program?
disease known to naturally infect white-tailed deer, mule deer, moose, elk and reindeer.
About CWD
CWD belongs to the family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), or prion disease. Though it shares features with other TSEs, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle and scrapie in sheep and goats, it is a distinct disease only known at this time to naturally affect members of the deer (cervid) family.
At this time there is no direct scientific evidence to suggest that CWD may be transmitted to humans. It is however recommended that any tissue that may have come from a known CWD-infected animal not be used or consumed by humans.
Chronic Wasting Disease Eradication
The CFIA implemented a CWD eradication policy in October 2000. In 2002, the CFIA established national standards for a Voluntary Herd Certification Program (VHCP). The objective of the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Voluntary Herd Certification Program is to provide owners with the opportunity to have their herds identified as elite with respect to CWD. Membership in the certification program provides assurances to potential purchasers of animals that a purchase from a herd with the same level has the same risk of being infected with CWD. The level of assurance of CWD freedom depends on the length of time the herd has been enrolled in the program. Any owner of elk or deer premises who agrees to comply with the provisions outlined in the CWD Voluntary Herd Certification Program may enroll.
What is the role of the CSF?
for cervids farms located in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. The CWD VHCP National Standards (PDF) outlines program rules and requirements, and the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) explain how the program is delivered.
PDF document for CWD_VHCP National Standards 2020
PDF document for CSF CWD VHCP SOP's
Form 1 - Annual Submission Checklist 2020
Form 2 - Annual Owner Farm Information Update 2020
Form 3 - Transfer of Responsibility to Herd Manager 2020
Form 4 - Declaration of Enrollment 2020
Form 5 MB - Assumption of Risk Indemnity Agreement Release 2020
Form 5 ON - Assumption of Risk Indemnity Agreement Release 2020
Form 5 SK - Assumption of Risk Indemnity Agreement Release 2020
Form 6 - Annual Operation Review 2020
Form 7 - Farm Site Plan 2020
Form 8A - Veterinarian Inventory Confirmation 2020
Form 8B - Veterinarian & Veterinarian Inventory Confirmation 2020
Form 8C - Owner-Operator Inventory Confirmation 2020
Form 9 - Quarterly On-Farm Death Report 2020
Form 10 - Escape Intrusion Report 2020
Form 11 - Biosecurity Assessment 2020
Form 13 - Trucker Statement 2020
Form 14 - Entire Herd Inventory Multiple Years 2020
Form 15 - Annual Submission Review Form 2020
Form 16 - Consent to Release Information to CSF
Form 17 - Regional Administrator Contact and Fees
To learn more about Chronic Wasting Disease, visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/cwd/eng/1330143462380/133014399159