CGS Registry Work Year to Date (End of July 2021)

Breaking news that will have you breaking out in smiles!
Thanks to Jack, an IT whiz at CLRC we now have access to activity levels for CGS registry work to the end of July 2021.
Crunching data for comparison to 2020 year to date (YTD) stats has been a great joy!
 
Here’s the lowdown:
Registrations: Down 19.3% YTD!
Where, oh where is the good news in this?
Well a very few months ago registrations were down well over 30% compared to the same period last year. So, we’re gaining!
Our tabs on income on our bank account at Ottawa and comments from the CGS registry team at CLRC indicate that work is flowing in at a great rate and being processed at a good clip now too!
 
UNITS: Overall we are down 5% from the YTD stats in 2020 and no surprise given the drop in registration processing in early 2021. Thankfully it is less of a drop than it has been in recent months! Heading the right way, recently!
 
TRANSFERS: On the other hand this aspect of our business is up over 7% from 2020. Quite the feat given that 2020 was a year of strong growth in transfer numbers!
 
MEMBERSHIPS: Again, growth city! Up 11.7% over 2020 YTD. With only 7 months in we have exceeded the 2020 year end total by a few percent and 14 memberships!!! That’s right higher than all of last year, already!
Not surprisingly we have racked up the third best year in the last two decades and are within kissing distance of the second best year in the last two decades!! Whooweee!
 
NEW MEMBERSHIPS:
Up 26% , yes, over a quarter, well over 100!
Closing in on the total for all of 2020!
 
NEW HERD NAMES AND TATTOO COMBINATIONS:
Herd names up 15.7% and tattoo combo registrations up 14.4% YTD!
And both over 100!
 
Looking forward to continued growth!

Nominations for Director Elections

CGS is thrilled by the amount of interest that openings for nominations for positions on the CGS Board has stimulated! More than 100 nominations were received for four open positions.

 

Here are the candidates who were nominated for the positions:

 

 

ALBERTA
Chris Grab
Callum McLeod 

ONTARIO (two positions)
Edward Cavanagh
Jonathan Dugdale
Steve Hunter
Tanya McCarthy

 ATLANTIC REGION
Arnold Steeles

 

 

Details re: the actual election process will be released in coming days.
Democracy in action!

Consultation on proposed changes to Feeds Regulations

(le français suit)

Dear Stakeholder / Cher Intervenant,

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is pleased to announce that we have published the proposed Feeds Regulations, 2022 in Canada Gazette, Part 1. We have launched a 90-day public consultation from June 12 to September 10, 2021, to gather feedback from stakeholders.

Why is it necessary to make changes to the current Feeds Regulations?

The last comprehensive review of the Feeds Regulations took place in 1983. Regulatory changes are needed to keep pace with changes in innovation, risk management, international standards, science and technology and to develop a modernized risk- and outcome-based regulatory framework for feeds.

Proposed amendments to the Feeds Regulations include new requirements for hazard analysis, preventive controls, traceability, record-keeping, and licencing. These changes will better align with international regulatory frameworks and best practices. This will enable CFIA and regulated sectors to better understand and manage risks that livestock feeds pose to animal health, human health and the environment.

What are the impacts to industry?

During this consultation we are seeking feedback from the public, academia, other government departments, organizations or individuals with an interest in livestock feeds in Canada. These changes are proposed and have not come into effect.

We want to hear from you!

We encourage you to review the proposal and connect with us should you have any questions regarding the proposed regulatory package.

You can participate in this consultation in different ways:

  1. Read the proposed regulations in Canada Gazette, Part I and submit your comments using the online regulatory consultation system
  2. Read the proposed documents incorporated by reference
  3. Read the fact sheets and guidance documents to better understand the proposed regulations
  4. Join a webinar

For further information, please contact:

Laura Scott

Animal Feed and Veterinary Biologics Division

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Email: cfia.feedregmodernization-modernisationregbetails.acia@inspection.gc.ca

Your feedback is important to us. We encourage you to share this message with interested parties.

Many thanks,

=======

L’Agence canadienne d’inspection des aliments (ACIA) a le plaisir d’annoncer que nous avons publié le projet de Règlement sur les aliments du bétail, 2022 dans la Gazette du Canada, Partie 1. Nous avons lancé une consultation publique de 90 jours, du 12 juin au 10 septembre 2021, afin de recueillir les commentaires des intervenants.

Pourquoi est-il nécessaire d’apporter des modifications au Règlement sur les aliments du bétail ?

Le dernier examen approfondi du Règlement sur les aliments du bétail remonte à 1983. La réglementation actuelle se concentre sur les produits (par exemple, l’enregistrement, les normes et l’étiquetage) avec peu ou pas d’exigences qui s’appliquent aux processus (par exemple, les normes de fabrication et la tenue de registres). Des modifications réglementaires sont nécessaires pour suivre le rythme des changements touchant l’innovation, la gestion des risques, les normes internationales, la science et la technologie.

Les modifications proposées au Règlement sur les aliments du bétail sont nécessaires pour établir un cadre de sécurité pour les aliments du bétail qui comprend une analyse des dangers, des contrôles préventifs, la traçabilité, des exigences accrues en matière de tenue de registres et l’octroi de licences. Ces modifications permettront une plus grande harmonisation avec les cadres réglementaires internationaux et les meilleures pratiques. L’ACIA et les secteurs réglementés pourront ainsi mieux comprendre et gérer les risques que les aliments du bétail posent pour la santé animale, la santé humaine et l’environnement. 

Quelles sont les répercussions sur l’industrie ?

Au cours de cette consultation, nous cherchons à obtenir les commentaires du public, du milieu universitaire, d’autres ministères, d’organisations ou de personnes ayant un intérêt dans les aliments pour animaux au Canada. Ces changements sont proposés et ne sont pas encore entrés en vigueur.

Nous voulons avoir de vos nouvelles !

Nous vous encourageons à examiner la proposition et à nous contacter si vous avez des questions concernant le paquet réglementaire proposé.

Vous pouvez participer à cette consultation de différentes façons :

  1. Lisez le règlement proposé dans la Gazette du Canada, partie I et présentez vos commentaires à l’aide du système de consultation réglementaire en ligne
  2. Lisez les documents proposés incorporés par renvoi
  3. Lisez les feuillets d’information et les documents d’orientation pour mieux comprendre le règlement proposé
  4. Inscrivez-vous à un webinaire

Pour de plus amples informations, veuillez contacter :

Laura Scott

Division des aliments pour animaux et des produits biologiques vétérinaires

Agence canadienne d’inspection des aliments

Courriel : cfia.feedregmodernization-modernisationregbetails.acia@inspection.gc.ca

Vos commentaires sont importants pour nous. Nous vous encourageons à partager ce message avec les parties intéressées. 

Cordialement,

David Svab
Director
Animal Feed and Veterinary Biologics Division
Canadian Food Inspection Agency / Government of Canada
David.Svab@inspection.gc.ca / Tel: 613-773-7809 / Mob: 613-203-4006
Directeur
Division des aliments pour animaux et des produits biologiques vétérinaires
Agence canadienne d’inspection des aliments / Gouvernement du Canada
David.Svab@inspection.gc.ca / Tél. : 613-773-7809 / Mob : 613-203-4006

Advancing eradication: genetic scrapie resistance in goats

Received from CFIA:

Advancing eradication: genetic scrapie resistance in goats

Scrapie is a prion disease, like bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and chronic wasting disease (CWD), that can affect the health of Canada’s goat and sheep population. When this disease is discovered on a goat farm, currently the entire herd must be depopulated. There is no cure or treatment for scrapie. Canada’s last confirmed cases of scrapie occurred in 2019.

Recently, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced that current research shows the possibility of genetic resistance to scrapie in some goat populations. The CFIA has determined that two genetic variants, called alleles, in certain breeds of goats currently found in Canada could be used as markers for resistance to the disease. The CFIA plans to trial using these genotypes to identify goats within a scrapie-infected herd that may not have to be ordered destroyed. In addition, producers can use private genotype services to test the DNA makeup of their herd. The CFIA is encouraging producers to test their herds to determine if they have these variants.

The CFIA is asking you to help us inform goat producers of this information about possible genetic resistance to scrapie and to encourage them to get any goats 12 months and older that die on their farm, or go to slaughter, to be tested for scrapie via the national scrapie surveillance program. Testing for scrapie helps the CFIA’s disease surveillance program determine where potential outbreaks of scrapie could occur.

The CFIA has spokespeople available for interviews on the important work done by the CFIA on this issue, as well as scrapie in general. You will find background information below.

Resources:

Notice to industry – Advancing eradication: genetic scrapie resistance in goats

Fact sheet – Scrapie

Contribute to Scrapie Surveillance

Please contact us if you have any questions. We look forward to hearing from you.

Media Relations
Canadian Food Inspection Agency / Government of Canada
cfia.media.acia@inspection.gc.ca
Tel: 613-773-6600

Faire progresser l’éradication : la résistance génétique à la tremblante chez les chèvres

La tremblante est une maladie à prions, comme l’encéphalopathie spongiforme bovine (ESB) et la maladie du dépérissement chronique (MDC), qui peut affecter la santé de la population caprine et ovine du Canada. Lorsque cette maladie est découverte dans une exploitation caprine, il faut présentement procéder au dépeuplement de tout le troupeau. Il n’existe aucun remède ni traitement pour la tremblante du mouton. Les derniers cas confirmés de tremblante du mouton au Canada ont eu lieu en 2019.

Récemment, l’Agence canadienne d’inspection des aliments (ACIA) a annoncé que les recherches actuelles montrent la possibilité d’une résistance génétique à la tremblante dans certaines populations de chèvres. L’ACIA a déterminé que deux variantes génétiques, appelées allèles, dans certaines races de chèvres présentes au Canada pourraient être utilisées comme marqueurs de résistance à la maladie. L’ACIA prévoit tester l’utilisation de ces génotypes pour identifier les chèvres d’un troupeau infecté par la tremblante qui pourraient ne pas devoir être euthanasiées. De plus, les producteurs peuvent utiliser des services privés de génotypage pour tester la composition génétique de leur troupeau. L’ACIA encourage les producteurs à tester leurs troupeaux pour déterminer s’ils présentent ces variantes.

L’ACIA vous demande de l’aider à informer les producteurs de chèvres de cette information sur la résistance génétique possible à la tremblante et de les encourager à faire tester toutes les chèvres de 12 mois et plus qui meurent sur leur ferme ou qui vont à l’abattoir, dans le cadre du programme national de surveillance de la tremblante. Les tests de dépistage de la tremblante aident le programme de surveillance des maladies de l’ACIA à déterminer les endroits où des épidémies potentielles de tremblante pourraient survenir.

Des porte-parole de l’ACIA sont disponibles pour des entrevues sur l’important travail effectué par l’ACIA sur cette question, ainsi que sur la tremblante en général. Vous trouverez des informations ci-dessous.

Ressources :

Avis à l’industrie – Progrès vers l’éradication : résistance génétique à la tremblante chez la chèvre

Fiche de renseignements infocapsule – Tremblante

Participez à la surveillance de la tremblante

Veuillez nous contacter si vous avez des questions. Il nous fera plaisir d’avoir de vos nouvelles.

Relations avec les médias
Agence canadienne d’inspection des aliments / Gouvernement du Canada
cfia.media.acia@inspection.gc.ca
Tél. : 613-773-6600

Statements from CGS

Statements regarding two current topics.

Tanya McCarthy had two goats DNA tested (dam and daughter). DNA results revealed that the animals did not match. Ms. McCarthy presented the actual two DNA results to CGS and CGS immediately started an investigation.  The breeder (Jack Kent) explained the situation of two dams mixing up this one kid after birth. CGS requested that he send in a DNA sample of the other dam. The DNA test results came back as a match of dam and daughter. The pedigrees for Potting Shed Golden Hops and her one progeny have been corrected.

At this point no other DNA evidence has been presented to CGS.

The situation of the three bucks co-owned by Tanya McCarthy and Jack Kent and two bucks owned by Jack Kent  is a civil disagreement between the two parties and has been resolved between them and their legal representatives.  As it only involved transfers of ownership and service certificates to cover animals bred by members of the McCarthy family, it in no way affects the pedigrees of any animals.

Report of May 21st CGS Board Meeting

The latest CGS Board meeting was held on the evening of Friday, May 21st.

Participating were:

President Sandy Howell; Callum McLeod; Ed Cavanagh; Susan Frazer; Annie Steeles and Russell Gammon  Secretary-Manager.

Regrets: Catherine Lord; Karen Cavanagh.

In terms of finances the Board received a report that, at meeting time we had $10,000 in investments ( as of the week of May 17th); just over $8,000 in our savings account and $6700 in our chequing account. This would place CGS financial assets at over $24,700 at the time of the meeting. 

The association will be following up on a small number of accounts receivable.

NEW BUSINESS

CGS has been invited to partake in a summer webinar series hosted by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the University of Guelph’s Center for the Genetic Improvement of Livestock (CGIL).

CGS has agreed to be part of this series with a presentation. We have been asked to address the topic of conformation evaluation. 

In addition our working group of Adam Scanlan,  Ed Cavanagh and Callum McLeod have begun work on a video or videos on judging and the related  evaluation of conformation and a refresher course for CGS licensed judges. The presentation will be available to everyone.

The Board will be again canvassed for input on what day of the week and time of day work best for the majority to maximize participation in meetings.

A brief presentation was made on plans to bid to host the 2026 International Goat Conference in Alberta.

CGS will investigate the use of the G prefix for registration numbers for Lamancha goats upon receipt of examples where use is questioned based on generations of recorded ancestors. 

Director elections are coming up in Alberta, Ontario ( 2 positions) and the Maritimes. Deadline for nominations is June 30. A nomination form will be available in the INFO AND LINKS section of the CGS website at www.goats.ca.

The Board was updated on progress of an initiative with Heritage Livestock Canada (HLC). The project involves testing 50 head per breed to arrive at a measure of genetic diversity in that breed. HLC is seeking coordinators for each breed to coordinate collection of samples and forward them to the designated lab for testing.

Board members Sandy Howell and Callum McLeod have offered their services as a breed coordinator.

The CGS Board has decided that the CGS Facebook page will be used in the same manner as the CGS website in a message board function. Comments may be directed to Board members or the office by email or phone calls or letters.

CGS will be releasing an announcement regarding the results of DNA testing on three animals and subsequent revisions to two pedigrees to the membership.

Further discussions will be held on possible random DNA testing within the Canadian population or DNA testing of males being registered. 

The Board received a report of the latest meeting of a steering committee regarding integrated databases for genetic, pedigree and performance information for small ruminates.  The meeting had been held earlier in the day on May 21st. The steering committee has also created a game plan for next steps.

Board members have supplied copies/samples of their recent breeding records to the office.

The Association will now work on randomized selection a member in each 

Director region for a request for a copy of their breeding records as outlined in CGS by-laws.

CGS will be consulting with CLRC for a quote on adding a breeding date or exposure date range to the registration application process. 

CGS has consulted with the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair on prospects for the East National Show and The Royal itself. The RAWF has indicated they will have a better handle on their plans for 2021 by early July.

A motion was passed that funds in the Candice Cavanagh Memorial Scholarship Fund for youth be forwarded to the Cavanagh family for management of the program. This will provide an extra level of protection for the funds. 

CGS will continue working with the Animal Registration Officer on proposed by-law amendments that were submitted during the winter. A working group of members invested considerable amounts of time formulating draft amendments that were also reviewed in depth by the Board. 

The Board’s next scheduled meeting will be held in early July 2021.

New opportunities at the National Program Advisory Committee

Dear Stakeholder:

Our government remains committed to open, transparent, and merit-based selection processes for Ministerial appointments that are focused on identifying high-quality candidates who demonstrate Canada’s diversity.

This process will be used to select members for the National Program Advisory Committee. I am writing to you to seek your assistance in promoting this selection process to your network.

To ensure that the National Program Advisory Committee continues to effectively deliver on its mandate, we are looking for diverse candidates from across the country to fill up to 11 Member positions within the organization. The ideal candidates will have experience owning and/or operating a farming enterprise and participate directly or indirectly in both the AgriStability and AgriInvest programs.

I encourage you to inform your members of this opportunity and invite interested candidates to apply at the following website by June 7, 2021.

Thank you for your assistance in this matter that supports our farmers.

Sincerely,

Marie-Claude Bibeau, PC, MP


/ / /


Madame, Monsieur,

Notre gouvernement continue d’adhérer au principe de processus de sélection ouverts, transparents et fondés sur le mérite pour que les nominations ministérielles soient axées sur le recrutement de candidats hautement qualifiés et représentatifs de la diversité du Canada.

Le présent processus servira à sélectionner des membres du Comité consultatif national sur les programmes. Je vous écris pour vous demander de nous aider à promouvoir ce processus de sélection auprès de votre réseau.

Pour nous assurer que le Comité consultatif national sur les programmes continue de remplir son mandat efficacement, nous cherchons des candidats/tes diversifiés/es dans toutes les régions du pays pour doter jusqu’à 11 postes de membres au sein de l’organisation. Les candidats idéaux auront une expérience comme propriétaire et/ou dirigeant/e d’une entreprise agricole ainsi que de  participer directement ou indirectement aux programmes Agri-stabilité et Agri-investissement conjointement.

Je vous encourage à faire part de cette occasion d’emploi à vos membres et à inviter les personnes intéressées à poser leur candidature sur le site Web d’ici le7 juin 2021.

Je vous remercie de nous aider à promouvoir cette initiative dans l’intérêt de nos producteurs agricoles.

Je vous prie d’agréer, Madame, Monsieur, l’expression de mes sentiments les meilleurs.

Marie-Claude Bibeau, C.P., députée