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Mycobacterium bovis, responsible for bovine tuberculosis and an estimated $3 billion annual worldwide loss to agriculture
Manitoba Bovine TB Mustering Compensation Program
In the first half of the 20th century, tuberculosis (TB) in livestock is estimated to have caused more animal losses than all other infectious diseases combined. By the 1930s, a full 40% of cattle in the UK were infected, with 50,000 new cases of human Mycobacterium bovis infection reported every year. When left unchecked, the tiny aerobic bacterium can clearly wreak havoc on agriculture and public health.
Today, the risks of M. bovis infection to people in the industrialized world are minimal; pasteurization of milk, increased hygiene, and improved husbandry practices have greatly reduced the chances of cross-species infection. However, the bacterium can also spread to humans and other animals via aerosol droplets, necessitating the need for an aggressive eradication strategy.
Though the historical prevalence of TB in Canadian livestock has declined to acceptable levels, M. bovis continues to crop up in isolated pockets, including an area immediately surrounding Riding Mountain National Park. To protect Manitoba's 'TB-free' status, the Riding Mountain Eradication Area (RMEA) was created in 2003 by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), with the intention of eradicating TB through intensive livestock testing and controls on cattle movement.
To compensate producers for the costs of testing, in 2006 the Manitoba Government initiated the Manitoba Bovine TB Mustering Compensation Program. Administered by MASC on behalf of the provincial government, the program has been extended to cover livestock tested in 2008, 2009, and 2010.
- Eligibility
- Costs & Coverage
- Claims
- Procedures
- Links
Eligibility
If you keep livestock in the RMEA, CFIA might select your livestock to be tested for TB. At the time of testing, an application form for the Mustering Compensation Program will be provided by CFIA staff, who will complete the form and forward it on your behalf to MASC for payment.
Costs & Coverage
There are no costs to the producer for participation in this program.
The Manitoba Bovine TB Mustering Compensation Program provides ${program_details::compensation} per head compensation for livestock selected for testing by CFIA. This level of payment will be applicable for testing in 2008 through 2010.
Claims
To facilitate the payment process, you need to provide your Social Insurance Number (SIN) or Business Insurance Number (BIN) for each payment. Payments made under this program are considered taxable income and must be included for income tax purposes on an AGR-1 form.
Procedures
If you keep livestock in the RMEA:
- If selected, CFIA will contact you and indicate your livestock will be tested. CFIA will make arrangements with you regarding when tests are to be conducted.
- At the time of testing, CFIA staff will supply you with an application form for the Manitoba Bovine TB Mustering Compensation Program. To facilitate the payment process, please have your SIN/BIN number ready. CFIA staff will complete the application (Note: ensure your address and personal information on the application form are correct, and verify your consent in the program by signing the application), and will then forward it on your behalf to MASC for payment.
- You will receive payment from MASC in about 3 weeks.
Questions? For more information about the payment process, please contact your local MASC Insurance or Lending office.
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