Ranchers impacted by bovine TB quarantines to be compensated, agriculture minister says
36 farms are under quarantine in Alberta and Saskatchewan
Ottawa has announced compensation for cattle ranchers dealing with bovine tuberculosis in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Thirty-six cattle operations in the two provinces are under quarantine as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) tries to determine the source of the TB and how far it has spread.
- Bovine TB quarantine marred by lack of transparency, Alberta rancher tells Ottawa MPs
- Bovine TB cases climb to 6 in Alberta, CFIA says
In Question Period on Thursday, federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced aid for the cattle ranchers affected by the quarantine. The details of the compensation are not yet known.
"Being a farmer I certainly understand that bovine TB is a serious challenge for these ranchers," MacAulay said.
"Working with the province we are committed to compensate these ranchers for the costs they are facing, including interest on their advance payment loans."
Some ranchers are facing long waits to have their herds inspected by the CFIA. In a presentation Tuesday to Parliament's standing committee on agriculture, Alberta rancher Brad Osadczuk said the quarantine has mired him in hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt.
He learned in September one of his cows had tuberculosis. Five other cattle linked to his herd have since tested positive.
Ranchers impacted can't sell off or move their livestock but must continue paying to feed the animals.
The CFIA pays for animals that it kills, but there is no compensation for other costs. About 18,000 cattle are under quarantine in the region.
"We are working hard to address this unfortunate situation and take measures to help these ranchers with this serious challenge," MacAulay said.
'Couldn't have come at a worse time'
The Alberta agriculture minister says the program is still new so there's more to be worked out.
"I think it will be somewhat of a split but we're happy knowing that this is going to be cost-shared between the two jurisdictions and that we're able to do something for these producers," Oneil Carlier told CBC News.
"Bovine tuberculosis in Alberta couldn't have come at a worse time. They're looking for their one and only pay cheque and of course they can't do it. So I'm quite happy that we're able to do something for them."
Carlier says the ranchers have been hit hard.
"I absolutely understand the stress these producers have been under, it's really unfortunate," he said.
"CFIA has done I think a great job in identifying, being able to do their process to make sure we maintain the market access and all these kinds of things."