tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2560706674003621546.post5478986522138570241..comments2020-02-28T01:08:32.912-06:00Comments on Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy: Scrapie confirmed at quarantined sheep farm Canada CFIATerry S. Singeltary Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06986622967539963260noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2560706674003621546.post-14844484336708551192012-05-05T13:47:42.298-05:002012-05-05T13:47:42.298-05:00My main goal in this ongoing Shropshire saga has b...My main goal in this ongoing Shropshire saga has been for Minister of Agriculture Gerry Ritz to implement a Heritage Breed Exemption to the current Scrapie Protocol, which would protect and conserve the genetic diversity of all rare heritage breeds in Canada, not just the Shropshires.<br /><br />Still no evidence that the original positive found on an Alberta farm was a sheep that originated on my farm. CFIA's DNA lab report (which I have not seen despite requests) has only proven that two offspring born on the Alberta farm were out of a sheep there. But for the sake of (no) argument, let's say it was indeed the same sheep that originated on my farm. Experts agree that that sheep 24S could have contracted the disease after it left my farm, which has a history of no scrapie nor symptoms for the entire 12 years since my flocks existence. <br /><br />I believe in controlling scrapie, however I also believe in preserving rare heritage genetics. I've been open to co-operating with Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to discover if scrapie does indeed lie somewhere within my flock, but with a considered approach in view of it's rare breed status. I even proposed sacrificing more than half my beloved flock towards finding out http://shropshiresheep.org/2012/04/03/lost-sheep/ . They refused. Perhaps had CFIA and I worked together, the sheep might not have been taken by Farmers' Peace Corps {http://shropshiresheep.org/2012/04/04/on-the-lam-cbcs-as-it-happens/} .<br /><br />CFIA now claims that a different sheep just tested positive on my farm. Numerous facts suggest that test result could be a 'mistake', for the following reasons:<br /> <br />1) There were no scrapie symptoms in the alleged positive the day before it died, when the CFIA veterinarian heading the case confirmed it was likely ill due to pregnancy toxemia. <br />2) The alleged positive was over 6 years old. Scrapie commonly affects sheep between 2 and 3 years old, rarely after 5 years old. {http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/3864753?uid=3739448&uid=2129&uid=2&uid=70&uid=3737720&uid=4&sid=47698971872807}<br />3) Scrapie is generally transmitted from an infected scrapie positive mother to it's offspring via birthing fluids. Yet the 13-year old pregnant mother of the alleged positive was healthy (until CFIA killed her). She tested negative for scrapie. {http://shropshiresheep.org/2012/04/28/cfia-raids-farm-to-seize-and-kill-9-shropshire-sheep/ } <br />4) The alleged positive was not one of CFIA's specified high risk genetic cohorts, it was a VRQ/ARQ.<br />5) CFIA and Jones are engaged in judicial review currently before the courts. CFIA needed a positive to counter that review, and did not have one prior to their alleged positive.<br />6) A false government document certified that some of Jones' sheep were "contaminated by scrapie", 20 days BEFORE the samples were even shipped to the testing lab.{http://shropshiresheep.org/2012/05/01/shepherd-obtains-false-government-document/}<br />7) CFIA refuses blind third-party testing. Why not have the DNA and obex brain tissue speak for themselves?<br /><br /><br />This issue is about shining a bright light on all questionable, intransigent government tactics and draconian protocol, especially those that are devastating Canada's dwindling heritage breeds.<br /><br />~ from the shepherdSlow Food Farmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02097227841760928212noreply@blogger.com