Equine Canada News
December 29, 2008
Notice to Industry: CONTAGIOUS EQUINE METRITIS INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has launched an investigation
after confirming that horse semen was imported into Canada from a United
States stallion subsequently determined to be infected with contagious
equine metritis (CEM). There are no human health implications with this
disease.
United States officials have confirmed that three stallions on a Kentucky
farm tested positive for CEM. Shipments of frozen semen from one of these
stallions were sent to Ontario and Alberta in the spring of 2008. CFIA and
provincial animal health officials are currently tracing the shipments to
identify potentially exposed animals.
To date, potentially infected farms have been identified in Ontario and
Alberta. As a precaution, the CFIA has quarantined animals on the farms,
and these measures will remain in place until all animals have tested
negative for CEM. As investigations in Canada and the U.S. continue,
animals on additional farms may be quarantined.
CEM is a highly contagious disease that affects the reproductive tract of
horses. The disease can cause temporary infertility in mares. In most
cases, CEM can be successfully treated with disinfectants and antibiotics.
CEM is a reportable disease in Canada. This means that all suspected cases
must be reported to the CFIA for immediate investigation by inspectors.
There are international trade implications if a country loses its CEM-free
status.
Until more information is available from the U.S., the CFIA is recommending
that the equine industry and importers in Canada exercise caution and
refrain from importing breeding horses, embryos and semen from the U.S.
CEM is primarily spread directly during natural breeding, but can also be
transmitted during artificial insemination and through contaminated
instruments and equipment, such as tail bandages, buckets, sponges and
gloves. Therefore, horse owners and veterinarians should maintain strict
hygiene when handling breeding mares and stallions to prevent infection.
Infected stallions tend to be the major source of infection, as they can
harbour the disease for years without showing any clinical signs. The
primary symptoms of infection in mares are short-term infertility and
vaginal discharge, but some mares can also carry the disease without
clinical signs. Any horse owner or veterinarian who suspects a horse under
their care may be infected with CEM should immediately contact their local
CFIA District office (a listing can be found in the blue pages of local
phone directories).
The CFIA will continue to work with provincial counterparts, affected
producers and the equine industry in this response effort. Additional
information will be provided as it becomes available.
More information about CEM is available on the CFIA Web site at
www.inspection.gc.ca
or by calling 1-800-442-2342.
Printable version of
"Notice to Industry: CONTAGIOUS EQUINE METRITIS INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY"
28 October 2008
Import Restrictions Announced for Horses from Florida Entering Canada
Ottawa, ON --- The Breeds & Industry Division of
Equine Canada would like to inform all stakeholders of the Canadian horse
industry that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has imposed import
restrictions on horses from Florida entering Canada due to a 2008 outbreak of
equine piroplasmosis in the state of Florida.
Effective immediately the following conditions for horses from Florida for all
end-uses, other than Canadian horses returning to Canada, will require an import
permit. A veterinarian must inspect the horse(s) within 15 days preceding the
date of importation.
The horse(s) must be certified for equine piroplasmosis as follows
- the horse(s) have not been on a premises
where equine piroplasmosis (clinical or serology) has occurred during the 60
days immediately preceding exportation to Canada, nor has this disease
occurred on any adjoining premises during the same period of time, and
- they must have tested negative using a cELISA test or, where applicable, an alternate test acceptable to CFIA for equine piroplasmosis, during the fifteen (15) days prior to the date of importation into Canada.
For horses for all end-uses from states other than Florida, the following requirements will apply
- during the previous twenty-one (21) days, the animal(s) in this shipment has/have not been in the state of Florida.
All the above-mentioned conditions, except for
the import permit, will be certified by the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDF).
In order to apply for an import permit, Canadian importers will have to contact
one of the following CFIA area offices:
For the Atlantics
Dr. Allan McLean
Animal Health Staff Veterinarian
Atlantic Area
Telephone: (506) 851-7871
Fax: (506) 851-3700
Internet: mcleanaw@inspection.gc.ca
For Québec
Dr. Alain Lajoie
Program Specialist— Importation
Program Network—Quebec
Telephone: (514) 283-3815 (4210)
Fax: (514) 283-6214
Internet: lajoiea@inspection.gc.ca
For Ontario
Dr. Susan Wray
Program Specialist—Import
Program Network—Ontario
Telephone: (519) 826-2810
Fax: (519) 837-9771
Internet: wrays@inspection.gc.ca
For the West
Dr Gary Kruger
Veterinary Program Specialist
Program Network—West
Telephone: (403) 292-5825
Fax: (403) 292-6629
Internet: krugerg@inspection.gc.ca
Current import requirements for horses entering Canada may be found using the
CFIA Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) at
http://airs-sari.inspection.gc.ca.
To determine specific import requirements for each horse, specific parameters
that refer to each horse’s circumstances will need to be entered and customized
import requirements will be provided.
About Equine Canada Breeds & Industry Division
Equine Canada Breeds & Industry Division provides a structure for the more than
40 breed organizations operating in Canada to unite as a coalition under the
national federation of Equine Canada. It provides a forum from which to seek and
exchange information between Equine Canada, Canadian stakeholders, the
Government of Canada and foreign entities. The Breeds & Industry Division works
to promote and assist a vibrant equine industry and to affect policy in Canada.
Breed organizations and industry partners share resources and expertise with
unity of purpose to increase the long-term profitability of Canada's equine
sector and ensure its future viability. Visit
www.equinecanada.ca for
complete information about the Equine Canada Breeds & Industry Division.
11 May 2007
Breeds & Industry Division Sponsors Horse Week 2007
Ottawa, Ontario ---Equine Canada and the Provincial Equestrian
Federations are pleased to announce that Equine Canada’s Breeds &
Industry division has stepped up to the plate to support Horse Week 2007
as a Platinum Sponsor.
“The horse industry is one of the largest and fastest growing industries
in Canada employing more than 700,000 people and generating products and
services worth more than $15 billion each year,” stated Dean Leifso,
Breeds & Industry Chair. “Horse Week, in a very short time, has become a
significant celebration of horses in Canada and the Breeds & Industry
Division of Equine Canada is thrilled to be one of the sponsors of this
event.”
To the more than 40 breed organizations operating in Canada, Equine
Canada’s Breeds & Industry Division provides a structure for its
affiliate members and industry partners and a national forum from which
to seek and exchange information between Equine Canada, Canadian
stakeholders, the Government of Canada including Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada as well as foreign entities. With more than 60,000 Canadian breed
organization members’ interests at stake, the Breeds & Industry Division
works to promote and assist a vibrant equine industry in Canada and to
affect policy in the areas of equine health, export/import, taxation and
industry developments. Breed organizations and industry partners share
resources and expertise with unity of purpose to increase the long-term
profitability of Canada’s equine sector.
In celebration of Horse Week 2007, taking place June 2-10, member
associations will be pursuing activities to present their respective
breeds in the equine marketplace.
If you have an event taking place, and would like to register it to be
an official part of Horse Week 2007, visit
www.equinecanada.ca and click
on the Horse Week banner to find out how to register your event. Visit
the 2007 Events page to find great events in your area. Participants
across the country are encouraged to bring a camera along to Horse Week
events, snap pictures and send to
horseweek@equinecanada.ca for
inclusion in the Horse Week 2007 Photo Gallery.
Held annually to promote and celebrate Canada’s thriving horse industry,
Horse Week appeals to both horse enthusiasts and the public alike.
Featuring a wide range of activities held across the country, including
trail rides, equine showcases, charity events, RCMP musical rides and
competitions of all kinds, Horse Week has been growing steadily since
its inception in 2002.
9 May 2007
Horse Week 2007 Fast Approaching – Register Your Event Now!
Ottawa, Ontario --- Equine Canada’s Recreation Division, the Provincial
Equestrian Federations and Official Spokesperson, 2006 World Equestrian
Games Silver Medalist Team member Lance Griffin would like to remind
everyone that Horse Week 2007, which is taking place June 2-10, is fast
approaching!
If you have an event taking place, and would like to register it to be
an official part of Horse Week 2007, please note that events must be
registered by May 15, 2007 in order to guarantee the arrival of the
Horse Week package, which includes buttons or ribbons for all
participants! Visit www.equinecanada.ca and click on the Horse Week
banner to find out how to register your event.
Horse lovers from all over the country have been registering up a storm
on the EC website – from British Columbia, to Prince Edward Island,
great events have been created and registered, including Alberta’s
fourth annual Horse Showcase, a family focused event which will feature
over 30 different breeds of horses, along with the Horse Savvy Education
Zone, Jumping Extravaganza, and Kids Korral, along with a Marketplace
and Silent Auction in support of the local 4-H Club. In Petrolia, ON,
the Lambton Central Rodeo is taking place June 8-10. As a part of the
Dodge Rodeo Tour, the Lambton Central Rodeo is sure to be a fun filled,
action packed weekend featuring some of Ontario’s best cowboys and
cowgirls.
On the east coast, 100 horse enthusiasts will be saddling up on June 2
for the Second Annual Nova Scotia Equestrian Federation Trail Ride &
Drive, taking place on the beautiful Barrett Lumber Property in Beaver
Bank, NS. Visit the 2007 Events page to find great events in your area.
Participants across the country are encouraged to bring a camera along
to Horse Week events, snap pictures and send to
horseweek@equinecanada.ca
for inclusion in the Horse Week 2007 Photo Gallery.
“The friends that you gain through horses are truly the type that you
want to keep forever,” commented Spokesperson Lance Griffin, who is
based in De Winton, AB. “Because of this reason, and more, I encourage
you to support Horse Week 2007.”
The Horse Week Committee encourages horse lovers 18 years of age and
under to enter the Horse Week ‘Kids Contest’ for the chance to win great
prizes from Miss Filly –
www.missfilly.com, and Kemptville Feed & Seed -
www.ontariohorseman.com. With three different age groups, and four
different categories to choose from, participants are encouraged to get
together and let their creative sides shine! Featuring the categories of
Poems, Essays, Artwork and Miscellaneous (which can include anything
from illustrated stories to sculptures), this is the chance to create
something special around the theme of ‘A Horse of Course’. Visit
www.equinecanada.ca for contest rules and entry forms. The deadline for
entries is June 18, with the winners to be announced June 22.
Held annually to promote and celebrate Canada’s thriving horse industry,
Horse Week appeals to both horse enthusiasts and the public alike.
Featuring a wide range of activities held across the country, including
trail rides, equine showcases, charity events, RCMP musical rides and
competitions of all kinds, Horse Week has been growing steadily since
its inception in 2002.
Equine Canada would like to thank the 2007 Horse Week Platinum sponsors
SSG Riding Gloves, and the Equine Canada Breeds & Industry Division, as
well as Gold Sponsors, Oster Professional Products and Wyeth Animal
Heath.
Visit www.equinecanada.ca for more information
About SSG Riding Gloves
With over 50 styles to choose from SSG gloves can offer a quality solution to just about every type of equestrian need - from hunter/jumper and dressage to eventing and polo… from carriage driving and show, to racing, roping and pleasure riding. With both warm and cold weather styles and sizing from child's to adult, it is the most complete line on the market today. Visit www.ssgridinggloves.com for more information.
About Oster Professional Products
As the leader in the professional grooming industry, Oster's unmatched knowledge and experience is reflected in each and every product we create. Our skilled engineers are committed to providing you with tools that define consistent quality and superior craftsmanship. We share your passion and enthusiasm for professional grooming. For more information on Oster Professional Products visit www.osterpro.com.
About West Nile Innovator
The West Nile Innovator is brought to you by Wyeth Animal Health. Even the best cared for horses are at risk of disease, so it's important to protect them with products proven safe and effective. The West Nile Innovator vaccine is proven safe and effective in protecting horses against West Nile Virus.For horse health information and promotional offers, register on Wyeth's Equine Wellness Members List at www.wyethah.ca.
23 March 2007
Equine Canada Breeds & Industry Guide to Horses and Ponies for Sale in Canada
Equine Canada members in all provinces interested in expanding their
marketing opportunities are invited to participate in a new service
offered by the Breeds & Industry Division. The bilingual online
marketing database, Equine Canada Breeds & Industry Guide to Horses and
Ponies for Sale in Canada, is being developed to increase exposure for
Canadians selling quality prospects of all breeds and sport and racing
disciplines. It will enable Breeds & Industry Division representatives
to provide an easily accessible sales list to buyers that they meet at
trade shows and through Canadian trade missions abroad and incoming
international trade missions to Canada.
Log on to
www.sportsbiz.bz/equine/e/horses/register.cfm to add your
sales prospect to the Equine Canada Breeds & Industry Guide to Horses
and Ponies for Sale in Canada in English. Log on to
www.sportsbiz.bz/equine/f/chevaux/demande.cfm
to add your sales prospect in French.
“Equine Canada will be conducting trade missions and will be exhibiting
in trade shows in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 27-April 5, and at
the FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 18-22. Having a
current sales list will be an asset and will provide direct benefit to
Canadian breeders, trainers and sellers,” said Susan Stewart, Equine
Canada Breeds & Industry Division Coordinator, Export Market
Development.
The Equine Canada Breeds & Industry Guide to Horses and Ponies for Sale
in Canada online registration is easy to use. Sellers log on to the site
and by entering their sales prospect’s information, a picture and
contact information, the listing will be included in the database in
less than five minutes. Viewing the database and printing the listings
will be password accessible only until the service is fully integrated
within the Equine Canada website.
“The Equine Canada Breeds & Industry Guide to Horses and Ponies for Sale
in Canada has been created to enhance the benefits of the Equine Canada
Breeds & Industry Export Market Development Strategy. The Strategy aims
to “Brand Canada” as a quality producer of horses suitable for racing,
FEI and non-FEI sport, breed specific competition and breeding,” noted
Stewart.
In 2007, the Equine Canada Breeds & Industry Division plans to host
incoming trade missions for international delegates interested in
purchasing horses and ponies from Canada. The Equine Canada Breeds &
Industry Guide to Horses and Ponies for Sale in Canada will be a great
tool to contact sellers, notify them directly of the incoming and
outgoing missions and keep them updated on the activities of the Breeds
& Industry Division.
Get involved!For more information, contact Susan Stewart, Breeds &
Industry Division Coordinator, Tel: (613) 826-1155, Fax: (613) 826-1479,
sstewart@equinecanada.ca
19 March 2007
Equine Canada Export Mission to the FEI World Cup Show Jumping and Dressage Finals, in Las Vegas, NV, April 17-22, 2007
Equine Canada’s Breeds & Industry Division is inviting breeders, breed
associations and individuals to participate in a mission to the FEI
World Cup Show Jumping and Dressage Finals, in Las Vegas, NV, April
17-22, 2007. You can attend in person or simply send your promotional
material to be given away on your behalf.
Delegates will exhibit from the Equine Canada booth at the FEI World Cup
where they will meet with local and international buyers.
The 2007 FEI World Cup Show Jumping and Dressage Finals will be held at
the Thomas & Mack Center and the anticipated total attendance is 55,000.
Visit www.worldcuplasvegas.com for more information.
You can be involved in one of three ways:
1) Delegate representatives - $400 per person and includes:
of space within Equine Canada booth in the trade fair
TV/VCR/DVD for promotional videos/dvds and tables for delegates to
display promotional material
Reimbursement of 40% of total costs for airfare and accommodation that
you book and pay for yourself
2) Breed Association - $400 per association to support the promotional
activity and costs for the trade fair booth. Your association materials
will be distributed.
3) Individuals NOT in attendance - $150 per individual to have your
promotional materials given away on your behalf.
* Breed associations and individuals must be members of Equine Canada to
participate.
The coordinated generic export promotional activities of the past few
years under the platform “Equine Canada, Exporting Canadian-bred Horses
to the World” has raised Canada’s profile and created new interest from
buyers around the globe who recognize the “buying Canadian-bred
advantages” of excellent quality, bloodlines, expertise, customer
service, environmentally responsible production and innovation.
The Breeds & Industry Division of Equine Canada is the national
“coalition” of equine breed associations and industry members. The
membership shares resources and expertise with unity of purpose to
increase the long-term profitability of Canada’s equine sector.
Get involved!For more information, contact Susan Stewart, Breeds &
Industry Division Coordinator, Tel: (613) 826-1155, Fax: (613) 826-1479,
sstewart@equinecanada.ca
16 March 2007
Equine Canada Breeds & Industry Division Export Market Development Strategy 2007-2008
With matching funding support from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
under its Canadian Agriculture and Food International (CAFI) Program,
the Equine Canada Breeds & Industry Division Export Market Development
Strategy enables member associations to participate in generic
activities that promote Canada’s reputation as a world leader in
supplying high quality, safe and innovative products produced in an
environmentally-responsible and sustainable manner. The Strategy aims to
“Brand Canada” as a quality producer of horses suitable for racing, FEI
and non-FEI sport, breed specific competition and breeding.
An application to AAFC for CAFI funding in 2007-08 was made by Equine
Canada in early February 2007. Notice of approval is expected in May.
With a total budget of $800,000, AAFC will match the equine industry’s
contributions towards the costs of completing the 47 projects planned.
The project categories include:
1) Trade Missions
Outgoing and incoming trade mission promotions of Canadian-bred horses
2) Export Preparedness Training
Canadian and international clinicians will conduct a series of training
sessions with Canadian owners, breeders, breed inspectors and/or breed
judges to increase the participants’ knowledge of the type, quality,
training, bloodlines, genetics and turnout required for Canadian-bred
horses to be marketed and sold internationally.
3) Print, Promotion, Distribution
A suite of generic promotional materials, bilingual and multilingual
when appropriate, will be created for distribution and/or display
outside of Canada to include brochures, posters, fact sheets,
catalogues, directories, press kits, press releases, print and web
advertising, e-newsletters, print newsletters, website design and
enhancements, cds/dvds, and “pop-up” displays for exhibiting at multiple
trade shows
4) Trade Advocacy
Breed association representatives will participate in international
meetings to voice Canadian interests globally and/or build strategic
partnerships with industry groups in target markets either to influence
international policy developments or to resolve trade irritants
With support, direction and for the benefit of its member associations,
the Breeds & Industry Division has piloted an export strategy since 2002
that is based on research and analysis of the demands of international
markets. Canada’s market challenges include financial limitations,
difficulties of recognition of our horses and most importantly, our
competitors’ perceived reputation as being superior. This program is
helping the Canadian equine industry raise the bar by providing
collective marketing and financial assistance that is enabling
unprecedented access to international markets.
For more information, contact Susan Stewart, Breeds & Industry Division
Coordinator, Export Market Development, Tel: (613) 826-1155, Fax: (613)
826-1479, sstewart@equinecanada.ca.
About the Breeds & Industry Division of Equine Canada
The Breeds & Industry Division of Equine Canada is the national “coalition” of equine breed associations and industry members. The membership shares resources and expertise with unity of purpose to increase the long-term profitability of Canada’s equine sector.
TOPAbout Equine Canada
Equine Canada is a member-based association that represents, promotes
and services Canada's equine community and industry. Its core areas of
activity involve sport, equine health and welfare, education and safety,
governance and marketing, representation and communication. Equine
Canada is recognized by Sport Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada,
the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the Canadian Olympic
Committee and Canadian Coaching Association of Canada as the national
organization representing equestrian sport and equine interests in
Canada. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit
www.equinecanada.ca.