Importation Requirements for Game Farmed Elk (Slaughter)

Since its inception, the farming of elk (Cervus elaphus) for the production of antler velvet, meat and breeding stock in Manitoba has maintained a high standard of disease prevention and control. Through regulation and industry cooperation, Manitoba game farmed elk producers have conducted routine testing and control programs for Tuberculosis, Brucellosis and Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).  Part of the controls include strict regulations on the importation of farmed elk from other jurisdictions. Producers of game farmed elk from other jurisdictions may import elk into Manitoba for slaughter if the following requirements are met:

1. Written permission has been provided by the Chief Veterinary Officer.  The permission may be provided following the receipt of evidence that:

• Each animal is uniquely identified with easily visible numbered ear tags.
• Each animal has come from a facility licensed to raise farmed elk in the province of origin.
• A Transportation Authorization Permit (TAP) has been obtained from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
• A slaughter date has been obtained from a federally inspected slaughter plant in Manitoba. Currently Winkler Meats LTD is the only federally inspected plant that will accept elk in Manitoba.

2. The elk are transported under the following conditions:

• An accurate livestock manifest from the province from which the animal originates has been forwarded in a timely fashion after the elk have been loaded.
• The part of the vehicle where the elk are kept remains locked at all times during transit except when it is necessary to provide care for the animals.
• The animals are only off loaded at the slaughter house or in an emergency at a location approved by the Chief Veterinary Officer.
• Elk are transported in an acceptable manner.  Elk are not to be transported in double decked or ramped livestock trailers.

3. All elk transported for slaughter are slaughtered without delay and confirmation has been provided to the Chief Veterinary Officer within 7 days after entering Manitoba.
    
4. All elk slaughtered in Manitoba are tested for CWD. Samples will be collected at the time of slaughter and the carcasses will be held until a negative test result is confirmed. The submission of samples and the cost of CWD testing on imported elk is the responsibility of the producer. Winkler Meats LTD provides a sample submission service to it’s clientele. The cost of CWD testing on elk imported from the province of Saskatchewan is currently covered by Saskatchewan Agriculture.

For further information please refer to the Office of the Chief Veterinarian Contact List at: manitoba.ca/agriculture/foodsafety/chiefvo/cfs12s01.html