Canada Advance notice to industry – updates to the federal management of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in farmed cervids
Canada Advance notice to industry – updates to the federal management of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in farmed cervids
Advance notice to industry – updates to the federal management of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in farmed cervids
October 22, 2026 – Ottawa, Ontario
The Canadian Food inspection Agency (CFIA) is updating its national chronic wasting disease (CWD) program to improve disease risk management in farmed cervids and better meet the needs of partners and stakeholders. We are providing three months' advance notice before implementation of the new program to give producers and other stakeholders time to prepare for the changes.
The current program, launched in 2019, was designed to control CWD through prevention and early detection in farmed cervid herds. However, since its implementation, CWD has continued to spread into new areas of Canada, underscoring the need to update the approach and strengthen collaboration. We conducted a consultation with partners and stakeholders in the fall of 2025. In response to what we heard, we will implement two elements of the new program on January 20, 2027.
What's coming into effect on January 20, 2027
The CFIA will recognize regional CWD status in wild and farmed cervid populations for the purposes of CWD risk management. The CFIA will consider CWD to be established in Alberta and Saskatchewan, emerging in Manitoba and parts of British Columbia and not detected in the rest of Canada.
The CFIA's CWD response measures, including whole-herd destruction and associated compensation, will no longer be linked to enrollment in a CWD Herd Certification Program anywhere in Canada.
Ongoing program development
We will continue to work with affected partners and stakeholders on other elements of the new federal program, including:
Criteria for CFIA-led whole-herd destruction, with associated compensation, as a control option in a collaborative response aimed at controlling further geographic spread of CWD
CFIA oversight of Canada's CWD testing framework to continue to meet Health Canada's recommendation that CWD-positive cervids do not enter Canada's commercial food supply Looking ahead We will provide farmed cervid producers and partners with updates, guidance and support on the new program requirements related to regional risk categories before they take effect on January 20, 2027.
Date modified: 2026-10-26
Proposed changes to the Chronic Wasting Disease Control Program Current status: Closed This consultation ran from September 19, 2025, to November 21, 2025.
About the consultation
We were seeking feedback on proposed changes to our Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Control Program for farmed cervids.
Background
The management of CWD in Canada is a joint responsibility that requires collaboration among multiple partners and stakeholders including government, industry and the public. CWD is a reportable disease under the Health of Animals Act and we are the lead federal agency responsible for CWD management in farmed cervids. Other federal government departments, provinces and territories have primary jurisdiction over CWD management in wildlife. Cervid producers and hunters have important roles to play in the control of chronic wasting disease.
We have identified key opportunities to update our CWD Control Program to improve disease risk management in farmed cervids and better meet the needs of partners and stakeholders. The current program, launched in 2019, was designed to control CWD through prevention and early detection in farmed cervid herds. However, since its implementation, CWD has continued to spread into new areas of Canada, underscoring the need for updated approaches and stronger collaboration.
We were proposing a new program designed to improve disease risk management for farmed cervids and maintain a precautionary testing approach to limit human exposure by keeping cervids with CWD out of the commercial food supply.
Who was the focus of this consultation
We were seeking comments from all groups or individuals that are interested in cervids, including:
cervid producers
individuals, businesses and organizations involved in the farmed cervid industry
Indigenous Peoples
individuals, businesses and organizations involved with wild cervids
other government departments/agencies, including provincial/territorial
consumers and other public parties
veterinary and other medical professionals
academia Key themes for input
Proposed changes to CFIA's CWD Control Program for farmed cervids, focusing on the following key themes:
regional approach to CWD risk management by recognizing that CWD is emerging or established in parts of Canada
CWD control program goals of effectively managing CWD in farmed cervid herds and minimizing human exposure to CWD prions What we heard Final report What we heard report: Consultation on proposed changes to CFIA Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Control Program Related information Overview: Proposed changes to Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Control Program Chronic wasting disease of deer and elk Health of Animals Act Animal health compensation CFIA consultations and engagement Consulting with Canadians Contact us Animal Health Programs Division Canadian Food Inspection Agency 1400 Merivale Road Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0Y9CanadaEmail: CWD-MDC@inspection.gc.ca
Date modified: 2026-05-15
What we heard
The CFIA requested feedback on three main program elements:
regional risk categorization
precautionary testing
and the use of depopulation as a control tool for CWD
Respondents were asked to indicate whether they agreed, disagreed, or were unsure. They were also asked to assess whether the proposed changes would have positive, neutral or negative impacts on them, and for any additional suggestions they may have to strengthen CWD management in Canada, including suggestions beyond the CFIA's areas of responsibility.
All submissions were reviewed, and feedback was grouped into elements that were well-supported, not well supported, or received mixed reactions. Many respondents expressed strong views about CWD and its impacts on Canadian cervid populations and appreciated the opportunity to provide feedback on proposed changes to CWD management. This report also summarizes specific aspects of each proposed element that prompted requests for clarification or adjustments. In addition, an appendix has been included to expand on certain suggested approaches that fall outside the scope of the proposal and/or outside the CFIA's areas of responsibility related to CWD.
Elements well-supported
Regional risk categorization
The CFIA asked respondents to provide input on the following proposed categories for CWD status in Canada to be incorporated into CFIA policy for the purposes of CWD risk management:
Established: a province or territory where CWD has been detected in wild and farmed cervids for 2 or more consecutive years.
Emerging: a province or territory in which CWD has been detected in some wild cervid populations for 2 or more consecutive years, but not in farmed cervids.
Not detected: a province or territory in which CWD has not been detected in wild or farmed cervid populations in the last 5 years
Detailed feedback on regional risk categorization
Overall, partner and stakeholder groups and individuals supported regional risk categorization in CFIA policy. Some government partners in provinces affected by CWD supported the proposal as written and highlighted the importance of well-developed collaborative response plans to address incursions into new geographic areas. Some groups, including provincial governments and national cervid industry associations, supported regional risk categorization but asked for clarification on how the CFIA would categorize certain scenarios that do not currently exist in Canada (for example, a province or territory in which CWD has been detected in more than one cervid farm but not in wild cervids within less than 5 years), or whether the CFIA would consider adopting risk categories based on sub-provincial zones and prevalence in wild cervids. One conservation association and a group of individual hunters from a province affected by CWD supported the proposal that CFIA policy would recognize regional differences in CWD risk across Canada but are opposed to the ongoing farming of CWD-infected herds.
Partners and stakeholders who disagreed with this element of the proposal included a provincial cervid industry association and a group of producers affected by CWD who oppose the inclusion of CWD on the list of federally Reportable Diseases. These respondents also asked the CFIA to amend the proposal to prioritize expanded movement and trade options for CWD-infected herds. In contrast, a provincial conservation association, an Indigenous organization from a province affected by CWD, and a government from a jurisdiction not yet affected by CWD opposed the proposal because they do not support the ongoing farming of CWD-infected herds, either in all regions or in regions where CWD is emerging. In addition, a provincial conservation association, a group of individuals interested in conservation, and an Indigenous organization from a province not yet affected by CWD expressed opposition to the farming of cervids in general.
Among other individuals and groups who provided feedback, CFIA staff and private veterinarians expressed support for the proposal, with some requesting clarification on other risk scenarios. In contrast, some national lobby groups and researchers or academics either expressed mixed views or disagreed citing opposition to the ongoing farming of CWD-infected herds or, more broadly, to the farming of cervids.
Precautionary testing
Respondents were asked for their views on the CFIA's proposal that, in regions where CWD is emerging or established, all farmed cervids destined for the commercial food supply should be tested for CWD as a precaution.
Respondents also had the opportunity to provide input on precautionary testing when commenting on the CFIA's proposed program goal of limiting human exposure to CWD prions, as well as on how the CFIA's proposed changes could impact them as partners or stakeholders.
Detailed feedback on precautionary testing
Overall, partners and stakeholders supported this element of the proposal. Provincial governments affected by CWD stressed the importance of minimizing impacts of these changes on slaughter operations, test turnaround times and industry or producer costs as well as the potential impacts on current laboratory capacities. Some respondents recommended that the proposal go even further, suggesting that the CFIA develop a framework to require testing of all cervids being consumed by humans, regardless of regional risk categorization. Others recommended preventing all farmed cervids from provinces where CWD is established from entry into the commercial food supply.
Those who disagreed included national cervid industry associations, a provincial cervid industry association, and a group of producers affected by CWD who are opposed to the position that CWD is a human health concern and indicated that they consider CWD as only a trade issue.
Elements with mixed reactions
Depopulation as a CWD control option
Respondents were asked for their views on the CFIA's proposal to not order depopulation of CWD-infected herds in provinces or territories in which CWD is emerging or established. The CFIA clarified that compensation is not offered when animals are not ordered destroyed. The CFIA proposed a case-by-case exception to the policy in unique circumstances where CWD is detected in a herd located in a province or territory categorized in policy as established or emerging, but where the farm is located within a wildlife management area in which CWD has not yet been detected. In such cases, the CFIA may order destruction of the herd if this measure is considered likely to contribute to provincial or territorial efforts to prevent CWD spread.
Respondents also had the opportunity to provide input on regional risk categorization and how it may affect depopulation when commenting on the CFIA's goal of improving CWD management in farmed cervids, as well as on how the CFIA's proposed changes could impact them as partners or stakeholders. Respondents who identified themselves as cervid producers were also asked to assess advantages and disadvantages of depopulation as a CWD control tool.
Detailed feedback on depopulation as a control option
This element received mixed reactions from partners and stakeholders. Some partners and stakeholders, including provincial governments affected and not affected by CWD, CFIA staff and private veterinarians supported the proposal as written. These respondents highlighted the importance of well-developed, collaborative response plans, noting that CFIA-led depopulation of infected herds should remain available as a control tool when appropriate, to prevent incursion into new geographic areas.
Some partners and stakeholders, including provincial governments, cervid industry and conservation associations, researchers, and some Indigenous organizations, both affected and not affected by CWD, indicated uncertainty or mixed views. These respondents requested additional clarification on what collaborative response plans would involve before being able to agree or disagree with a change to the CFIA's use of depopulation as a CWD control tool.
National cervid industry associations, a provincial cervid industry association, and group of producers affected by CWD also expressed mixed views. They supported the CFIA's proposal that depopulation may not be appropriate when CWD is established or emerging in wild cervid populations in the vicinity of the farm and they highlighted the stress and trauma experienced by producers and other personnel when their entire herds are depopulated. However, they disagreed with the proposal overall. These respondents emphasized the importance of government compensation as a current management option for producers when CWD limits their ability to trade.
Other partners and stakeholders, including national lobby groups, some provincial conservation associations and governments, both affected and not affected by CWD, disagreed and opposed the ongoing farming of CWD-infected herds. They recommended that cervid farming be phased out, with compensation to producers, or that the CFIA return to the approach used prior to the Agency's shift from an eradication to a control program in 2019, under which all infected herds were depopulated, not just those enrolled in a CWD Herd Certification Program and compliant at level D or higher.
Elements that require clarification or adjustments
The CFIA will consider requests for clarification or adjustments as part of program development and will continue to engage with partners, stakeholders and Indigenous Peoples throughout this process. Partners and stakeholders requested clarification or adjustments related to certain aspects of the three main program elements (regional risk categorization, precautionary testing and depopulation as a CWD control option):
developing criteria for CFIA-led depopulation as an element of collaborative response to incursions into new geographic regions within provinces categorized as established or emerging, including consideration of prevalence and wild cervid population density
exploring options for the movement of cervids from infected herds located in established regions
exploring options for managing infected herds and contaminated premises located in established regions
adding a risk category for potential scenarios that do not currently exist in Canada but may arise in the future (for example, multiple affected farms but not detected in wild cervids)
clarifying the definition of "commercial food supply" minimizing impacts on slaughter operations, test turnaround times and industry or producer costs and potential impacts on current laboratory capacities Other suggestions to strengthen CWD management in Canada
In the request for feedback, the CFIA indicated that the Agency would continue to support administration of the CWD Herd Certification Programs and provide access to advice on herd management and training on live animal testing. Cervid producers were asked how else the CFIA could support their animal health goals. Respondents were asked if they had additional feedback on CWD management approaches. Partners and stakeholders provided extensive feedback to these questions. Common suggestions included the following:
Research
Respondents recommended conducting or promoting research related to:
live animal testing options for individual cervids and herds
genetic resistance to CWD
prophylactics and vaccines to prevent or delay disease progression
role of feed in CWD transmission
prion kinetics in elk
transmission to humans and other livestock species
testing solutions for wild cervids
Additional measures
Respondents suggested considering additional measures related to:
control of CWD spillover and spread via live cervids, cervid products, fomites and vectors
on-farm prevention and control strategies (including live animal tests and resistant genetics)
national cervid traceability
surveillance, monitoring and precautionary approach to testing for wild cervids One Health
Respondents encouraged the CFIA and partners to:
commit to One Health goals through robust communication, collaboration and coordination across all parties involved with CWD in Canada
enhance engagement with Indigenous Peoples in the development of approaches related to wild cervids CWD Herd Certification Programs not part of the proposal
The CFIA's proposed program changes do not include modifications to the CWD Herd Certification Programs (CWD HCPs), which follow a separate process outlined in the National Standards. The only impact on the CWD HCPs is that enrollment would no longer be linked to the CFIA's CWD response measures anywhere in Canada.
Next steps
The CFIA thanks everyone who participated in the consultation process. Based on feedback and general agreement received from partners and stakeholders for the elements of regional risk categorization and precautionary testing, there is sufficient support to proceed with adjustments, program planning and implementation.
The CFIA will consider feedback received regarding depopulation as a control tool and re-engage with impacted partners and stakeholders to discuss potential modifications prior to implementation of this aspect of the new program.
The CFIA will provide timelines of the above activities to partners and stakeholders and through the CFIA's email notification service as soon as these are available.
Appendix
This summary reflects specific recommendations and comments received during the consultation to explain why the CFIA considers them out of scope or not aligned with the broader CWD management goals shared by partners and stakeholders in Canada.
Recommendation: Remove CWD from the list of Reportable Diseases
CFIA comments:
Reportable diseases, as outlined in the Health of Animals Act and Reportable Diseases Regulations are diseases that can impact human health, animal health and the Canadian economy. Changes to Acts and Regulations require consultation with partners, stakeholders and rightsholders to determine if there is sufficient support within Canada to proceed. The Government of Canada, trading partners and the majority of those who provided feedback to this consultation on proposed changes to the CFIA's CWD control program agree that CWD is an important prion disease to monitor due to its known impacts on animal health and the Canadian economy, as well as its potential impacts on human health. CWD is also reportable to provincial, territorial and State authorities and the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS). Federal oversight of CWD, including its status on Canada's list of Reportable Diseases, is important to maintain market access for Canadian cervids and cervid products. For these reasons, removing CWD from the list of Reportable Diseases is not supported by CWD partners and stakeholders or in keeping with the CFIA's mandate to continually improve its animal health program design to minimize and manage risks, thereby supporting the Canadian economy.
Comment: CWD is not a human health concern
CFIA comments:
To date, there is no direct evidence to suggest that CWD may spread to humans. However, experts continue to study the zoonotic potential of CWD and the conditions under which transmission could occur. In managing potential human health risks from CWD in Canada, CFIA follows Health Canada's recommendation (supported by federal health officials in the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Health Canada and food safety officials in CFIA) that precautionary measures be taken so that no cervid known to be infected with CWD be consumed by humans. This position also aligns with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation that agents of all known prion diseases be excluded from the food chain, and with the scientific opinions of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Recommendation: Order destruction of all CWD-infected cervid herds
CFIA comments:
CFIA acknowledges that the ongoing presence and spread of CWD in farmed and wild cervid populations presents significant management challenges. CFIA currently only orders destruction of CWD-infected cervid herds if they are enrolled in a CWD Herd Certification Program (CWD HCP) and found to be compliant at level D or higher through CFIA's compliance evaluation. CFIA considers that the proposed program change to remove the pre-requisite for CWD HCP enrollment, along with the proposed policy to allow CFIA to order destruction of infected herds located in sensitive areas of established or emerging regions, will enable more targeted response efforts to help control CWD spread.
Feedback from cervid industry associations and producers highlighted that cervid farms, particularly those with CWD-infected herds, represent unique opportunities for controlled research to address knowledge gaps such as vaccines, genetic resistance and live animal tests. These research opportunities could lead to better prevention and control options for both wild and farmed cervid populations. This approach aligns with the One Health concept promoted by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), which emphasizes leveraging the strengths of different sectors and disciplines to enhance preparedness and response and achieve common goals.
Recommendation: Phase out cervid farms (with compensation to producers)
CFIA comments:
As indicated in the introduction of this report, the number of cervid farms in Canada has continued to decrease over time. In some parts of Canada, wild cervids pose a more significant CWD transmission risk than farmed cervids and phasing out cervid farms would not address the ongoing spread of CWD. In addition, licensing of cervid farms is not currently part of CFIA's responsibilities within Canada's CWD management framework. CFIA considers that other measures may be more achievable in reducing risks between wild and farmed cervid populations, while remaining within CFIA's mandate and commitment to a One Health approach. Examples include enhancing early detection through improved testing (both postmortem and live animal) and developing herd management programs to keep herd prevalence low.
Date modified: 2026-05-15
Herds infected with chronic wasting disease in Canada
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a reportable disease under the Health of Animals Regulations. This means that all suspected cases must be reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
Current as of: 2026-09-30
Domestic cervid herds confirmed to be infected with CWD in Canada
Year Date confirmed Location Animal type infected
2026 August 5 Saskatchewan White-tailed deer
2026 June 29 Alberta Elk
2026 May 15 Alberta Elk
2026 May 4 Saskatchewan White-tailed deer
2026 February 23 Alberta Elk
2026 February 9 Saskatchewan White-tailed deer
2026 January 30 Saskatchewan Elk
2025 November 18 Alberta Elk
2025 October 7 Saskatchewan Elk
2025 August 8 Alberta Elk
2025 July 8 Saskatchewan Elk
2025 May 5 Saskatchewan Elk (3 herds)
2025 April 1 Saskatchewan Elk
2025 January 23 Saskatchewan Elk
2024 November 8 Alberta Elk
2024 July 26 Saskatchewan Elk
2024 June 3 Saskatchewan White-tailed deer
2024 May 1 Saskatchewan Elk
2024 April 2 Saskatchewan Elk
2024 February 26 Saskatchewan Elk
2023 November 6 Alberta Elk
2023 August 2 Alberta Elk
2023 June 6 Saskatchewan White-tailed deer
2023 June 6 Alberta White-tailed deer
2023 April 20 Saskatchewan White-tailed deer
2023 March 29 Alberta Elk
2023 March 27 Alberta Elk
2023 March 8 Saskatchewan Elk
2022 October 11 Alberta Elk
2022 September 14 Saskatchewan Elk (2 herds)
2022 February 25 Saskatchewan White-tailed deer
2022 January 24 Saskatchewan White-tailed deer
2022 January 5 Alberta Elk
2021 December 24 Saskatchewan Elk
2021 December 21 Saskatchewan Elk
2021 November 19 Alberta White-tailed deer
2021 October 25 Alberta Elk
2021 October 13 Saskatchewan Elk
2021 September 3 Alberta Elk
2021 August 24 Alberta Elk (2 herds)
2021 June 4 Saskatchewan White-tailed deer
2021 April 19 Saskatchewan Elk
2021 March 3 Saskatchewan Elk
2021 February 17 Saskatchewan Elk
2021 February 22 Saskatchewan Elk
2020 February 13 Alberta Elk
2020 March 5 Alberta Elk
2020 March 6 Alberta Elk
2020 March 20 Alberta Elk
2020 May 19 Saskatchewan White-tailed deer
2020 July 7 Saskatchewan Deer
2020 July 29 Saskatchewan White-tailed deer
2020 September 30 Saskatchewan Elk
2020 October 2 Alberta Elk
2020 October 14 Alberta Elk
2020 October 21 Saskatchewan Elk
2020 October 21 Alberta Elk
2020 October 28 Alberta Elk
2020 December 10 Alberta Elk (2 herds)
2019 February 28 Alberta Elk
2019 June 21 Alberta White-tailed deer
2019 July 26 Alberta White-tailed deer
2018 January 31 Alberta Elk
2018 April 10 Saskatchewan Elk
2018 September 10 Quebec Red deer
2018 October 1 Saskatchewan Elk
2018 October 3 Saskatchewan Elk
2018 December 20 Saskatchewan Deer
2017 December 4 Saskatchewan White-tailed deer
2017 December 1 Saskatchewan White-tailed deer
2017 November 28 Saskatchewan Elk
2017 November 16 Saskatchewan Elk
2017 August 22 Saskatchewan Elk
2017 February 13 Saskatchewan Elk
2016 November 1 Saskatchewan Deer
2016 October 3 Alberta Elk
2016 February 18 Saskatchewan Deer
2016 March 21 Saskatchewan Deer
2016 May 18 Saskatchewan Elk
2016 July 21 Saskatchewan Elk
2015 November 25 Saskatchewan Deer
2015 July 16 Alberta Elk
2015 June 11 Saskatchewan Elk
2015 April 9 Saskatchewan Deer
2015 March 19 Saskatchewan Elk
2015 January 16 Alberta Elk
2014 December 23 Saskatchewan Elk
2014 November 28 Saskatchewan Elk
2014 June 5 Saskatchewan Elk
2014 May 21 Saskatchewan Elk
2014 February 3 Saskatchewan Elk
2013 November 13 Saskatchewan Deer and elk
2013 April 8 Saskatchewan Deer
2013 February 18 Saskatchewan Deer
2013 January 30 Saskatchewan Deer
2012 June 11 Saskatchewan Elk
2012 April 26 Saskatchewan Elk
2011 November 22 Saskatchewan Deer
2011 May 15 Saskatchewan Elk
2011 January 19 Saskatchewan Deer
2011 January 4 Saskatchewan Deer
Domestic cervid herds confirmed to be infected with CWD in Canada from 1996 to 2010
Year Number of herds confirmed with Chronic wasting disease
2010 5
2009 2
2008 4
2007 6
2006 2
2005 0
2004 1
2003 1
2002 3
2001 21
2000 15
1999 0
1998 1
1997 0
1996 1
Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program Standards
Posted by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on Oct 26, 2026
Comment from Singeltary Sr., Terry
Attachments 1
APHIS USDA Captive Herd Chronic Wasting Disease
posted by Terry S. Singeltary Sr. at
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