Resolution 3-19: Deadstock Removal

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARDS REQUEST that the Provincial Government compensate producers fifty percent (50%) of the deadstock pick up fees with producers bearing the remainder of costs.

Response:

ALBERTA AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY

The Disposal of Dead Animals Regulation (Alberta) provides for several methods of disposal that are acceptable for routine on-farm animal deaths (provided the animal was not infected with a provincially or federally reportable disease and the animal was not euthanized with drugs): by landfill, burial, burning, composting, rendering, and natural disposal. Certain additional conditions are outlined in the regulation that are dependent on the type of disposal method chosen.

While the presence of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in Canada did change the availability of rendering in some locations of the province, this was largely due to a change in the demand for the services in more remote areas, and a subsequent decision by renderers to change the supply of their services. AF has reviewed options to subsidize rendering costs in order to increase the number of samples available for BSE surveillance; the results of this analysis has continued to suggest a lack of return on investment, with a significant increase in cost and very little increase in the number of samples.

The most valuable samples for BSE surveillance are those collected on-farm, rather than those collected at deadstock/rendering facilities, because of the presence of a disease history for those collected on farm. The BSE surveillance program currently pays producers $75 per animal to assist with keeping the carcass from predation while testing is performed.

As part of emergency preparedness for foreign animal disease incursions, ail farms should consider developing an on-farm disposal program that will work in all seasons. Municipalities could be eligible for funding under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership program for the development of emergency preparedness plans, including option for locating sites to dispose of deadstock. More information is available at: https://cap.albei1a.ca/CAP/.