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Surveillance Start Date
Jun/29/2020
Surveillance End Date
Project End Date
Report

Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Programs

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Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Programs allow cervid owners and farm operators to demonstrate their herds are low risk for chronic wasting disease (CWD). Program participation means engaging in rigorous CWD surveillance and biosecurity measures. Enrolled herds are identified as a participants in Canada's national CWD compartment program of lower risk animals with respect to CWD. Requirements are defined in the national standards, which are developed and maintained by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). CFIA-accredited veterinarians supervise the activities. Provincial, territorial or industry organizations oversee and administer the programs. The CFIA audits the administering organizations. Herds of any cervids of the family Cervidae can participate in a CWD Herd Certification Program. The CWD Herd Certification Programs use biosecurity management practices to prevent CWD from being introduced into a herd. Given that CWD is difficult to detect and impossible to treat, biosecurity is the most effective tool at a cervid producer's disposal to keep CWD out of a herd.