CFIA continuing with salmon disease control
Dr. Ian Alexander , CFIA, Nanaimo Daily News, August 25, 2012
Re: ‘Government testing of salmon a flawed process’ ( Daily News, Aug. 21)
Alexandra Morton’s assertion that farmed salmon are not being monitored for infectious salmon anaemia is untrue.
Monitoring farmed salmon for infectious salmon anaemia is an established provincial and industry practice. These monitoring activities are guided by internationally accepted science. Furthermore, the surveillance initiative announced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency earlier this year supplements the existing farmed salmon testing by focussing on wild fish off the B.C. coast.
Results from wild fish will be combined with those from farmed fish to provide a comprehensive picture of salmon health on Canada’s West Coast.
Based on a scientific assessment of these results, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency will determine if additional testing is required. Any detection of infectious salmon anaemia in farmed salmon will be managed with science-based disease control measures, which may include quarantine and humane destruction and disposal.
We remain committed to keeping Canadians informed of our disease control measures and surveillance results.
Dr. Ian Alexander. Executive Director, Animal Health Directorate Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Dr. Gary Marty also responded to Alexandra Morton's letter.
Dr. Marty's Letter 'Claims about Salmon Viruses Simply Incorrect' and Alexandra Morton's Letter can be read at:
http://www.farmfreshsalmon.org/claims-about-salmon-viruses-simply-incorrect
