Bird flu outbreaks has CFIA advising against Canadian participation in US beef shows

With bird flu outbreaks popping up more and more in the United States, officials are asking Canadian producers to not bring their own cattle over in case of contamination.

That comes as multiple producers will be unable to attend cattle shows below the border due to the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

In a release from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), they advised against " all Canadian cattle travelling to and participating in agricultural exhibitions in the U.S. at this time."

While they state that they understand the traditional and business significance of these events, the current HPAI situation in the U.S. may pose a risk of introducing and spreading the virus into Canada.

They especially call for producers to be wary of shows that include livestock from states that have seen bird flu outbreaks, such as Idaho, California, and Michigan.

For those who still wish to attend cattle shows in the U.S., they remind producers that exhibitions may have testing requirements prior to entry of the cattle, which may vary by state and exhibition.

Anyone choosing to participate is recommended to contact the exhibition organizers to find out what is required before your departure from Canada.

If a producer chooses to travel with their animals to agricultural exhibitions in the U.S. despite the advisory, the federal government will require a certificate for all Canadian cattle that are there for less than 60 days.

Cattle will be required to stay in the U.S. for 60 days if they have been anywhere that HPAI, or any other contagious disease that cattle can contract, has been detected within the last 60 days, or if they have been exposed to these diseases. 

Upon return both beef and dairy cattle will require to be isolated from other cattle, with dairy cattle also required to take bulk tank tests.