Import Alert:  Updated import requirements for Canadian origin cervids imported into the United States. 

Import Alert:  Updated import requirements for Canadian origin cervids imported into the United States. 

 

Issuance Date: June 11, 2024 

Effective Date: May 01, 2024       

               

Effective May 1, 2024, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) implemented additional requirements for Canadian origin cervids imported into the United States. The updates are necessary to further mitigate the risk of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), and to ensure that imported animals meet diagnostic testing and surveillance standards equivalent to those of the U.S. CWD Herd Certification Program (HCP).   

 

The updated requirements stipulate that Canadian HCP Certified status herds must undergo two-tissue (obex and retropharyngeal lymph nodes) testing for CWD for a minimum period of 60-months before they are eligible to export animals to the United States. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recently implemented a requirement for two-tissue testing for CWD for all cervids as of March 15, 2024.   

 

This update will primarily affect the import of breeding animals.  State Animal Health Officials may continue to request a temporary derogation for cervids imported to terminal hunt facilities that meet specific criteria. These changes will not impact importation of cervids for immediate slaughter at U.S. facilities.  Currently any cervids imported for purposes other than immediate slaughter must be accompanied by an official APHIS derogation allowing the importation of that specific shipment(s).   

 

APHIS continues to work with CFIA on a proposed assessment of individual herd surveillance data that may allow individual Canadian HCP Certified status herds to qualify for export sooner than 60-months.  APHIS will provide additional information on this project if it is determined to be successful. 

 

For any other questions regarding import of Canadian cervids into the United States, please contact Dr. Mary Kate Anderson at (301) 851-3300 or e-mail LAIE@usda.gov.   

 

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