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December 2002 Situation of Bovine Tuberculosis in Manitoba

On January 1, 2003 the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) split Manitoba into two different Tuberculosis status areas as follows:

  • Riding Mountain Tuberculosis Eradication Area (RMEA) consisting of Game hunting Areas (GHA) 23 and 23A, which will be upgraded to the new Tuberculosis-accredited-advanced status from its current Tuberculosis-accredited status
  • Manitoba Tuberculosis Eradication Area which will consist of the remainder of the province (approximately 90% of Manitoba cattle herds) and will be upgraded from its current Tuberculosis-accredited status to Tuberculosis-free status

See the Map of Tuberculosis Positives 1991-2002. The area covered is:

  • West of Riding Mountain National Park (RMNP) to Highway #83
  • North of RMNP to Highway #5
  • East of RMNP to Highway #5
  • South of RMNP to Highway #45 and Mountain Road (#357)

When Manitoba is zoned into the different Tuberculosis areas, CFIA will require the following for all cattle and farmed bison that move out of the RMEA:

  • A CFIA movement permit
  • That animals meet certain criteria to indicate they are not of risk to spread Tuberculosis

The changes will only affect cattle and farmed bison in the RMEA area; it has no impact on the areas of sheep, pigs, farmed elk, and other domestic livestock.

The purpose of the RMEA is to allow CFIA to control and eradicate Tuberculosis, in the most effective manner, in an area that appears to have a Tuberculosis reservoir in wild elk and possibly deer. It will enable the majority of Canadian producers (99%) to maintain their Tuberculosis-free status. It is important, however, the zone regains its Tuberculosis-free status as soon as possible to relieve the extra burden for producers in the RMEA. Although this will take several years, with the hard work and co-operation by all involved it can be done.

Zoning of Manitoba will not immediately change the import requirements by the United States (US) for Manitoba cattle. It is only after the zoning program has been in place for several months, will the US decide on whether it is adequate. This may take 6 months to a year or more before they will accept the remainder of Manitoba as having Tuberculosis-free status.

Additional Resources

Contact

For more information, or if you suspect any animal health related concerns, please contact the Chief Veterinary Office or call 204-945-7663 in Winnipeg.