Québec is reviewing regulations aimed at preventing the introduction and spread of chronic wasting disease in cervids

To prevent the introduction and spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in cervids and other cervids in Quebec, the government plans to modify regulations governing the ownership and sale of animals. The proposed changes are subject to publication in the Gazette officielle du Québec, and citizens can submit their comments until July 13.

The only time CWD was detected in Quebec was in 2018, when it was discovered in a domestic herd of red deer on a farm in Grenville-sur-la-Rouge. CWD cases led to mass culling of domestic herd and wild deer in the area to prevent the spread of CWD.

The proposed regulatory changes aim to improve CWD control, particularly as cases are detected in Quebec. Many of the changes will only apply to the outskirts of where a case is detected. In addition, if measures are introduced, they will be lifted if the disease has not been present for more than six years. These modifications mainly concern hunters, deer owners, meat workshops (slaughterhouses, butchers, etc.) and rendering plants.

The regulatory modifications address endangered anatomical parts and are intended to eliminate trade in certain anatomical parts of cervids, restrict the movement of certain anatomical parts of cervids, moose and caribou, eliminate the sale of urine or other fluids, excretions or secretions of deer, and prohibit the possession of embryos, semen, eggs and velvet horns.

Deer covered by regulatory changes

Regulatory changes mainly affect cervids, which pose a higher risk of CWD infection. These include white-tailed deer and moose that were taken within 45 kilometers of the detection of a case of CWD in a captive cervid or within 100 kilometers of the detection of a case in the wild or in captivity in a place of care that meets one of the following criteria:

• In the last 20 years, one deer has been infected with CWD at this location
• Deer suspected of carrying CWD
• Cervids that died in the last six years were not analyzed for CWD
• A case of CWD has been detected in a captive deer less than 45 km from a holding location or in a wild deer less than 100 km from a holding location within the last six years
• A deer from a property meeting one of the above criteria has been introduced onto the farm within the last six years.

Anyone wishing to submit comments on the proposed changes must submit them in writing by July 13, 2024. All related information can be found in the Gazette officielle du Québec at https://www.legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca/ fr /document/rc/C-61.1,%20r.%2023/.

Impact on current hunting conditions

The proposed regulatory changes would remove restrictions affecting the movement of certain anatomical parts of deer slaughtered within a 45 km radius around a farm affected by CWD in 2018. Whole deer carcasses could leave this radius again and be taken to a butcher. Compulsory sampling of deer slaughtered within the same radius will end. The obligation for hunters to report to a designated station to register a white-tailed eagle killed in the area will also be abolished.

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