Bovine tuberculosis relief coming to ranchers this week
MEDICINE HAT, AB — Ranchers in southern Alberta affected by the bovine tuberculosis quarantine will be receiving relief just in time for Christmas.
Financial asssitance will be made availabe by the end of the week, and all ranchers affected by the quarantine to apply for financial aid.
The disease first surfaced in October following a diagnosis of the disease reported in a single cow from a herd near Jenner, slaughtered in the United States. In late November, federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay said the government will provide up to $16.7 million in compensation to western ranchers impacted by the quarantine.
More than 26,000 cattle at more than 45 ranches in Alberta and Saskatchewan remain under quarantine in relation to the disease. Testing on the animals is expected to be completed by the middle of January. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced in its weekly update seven ranches have been removed from the quarantine.