Current status: Open
This consultation is open from September 19, 2025, and will close on October 24, 2025.
About the consultation
We are seeking feedback on proposed changes to our Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Control Program for farmed cervids.
Background
The management of CWD in Canada is a joint responsibility that requires collaboration among multiple partners and stakeholders including government, industry and the public. CWD is a reportable disease under the Health of Animals Act and we are the lead federal agency responsible for CWD management in farmed cervids. Other federal government departments, provinces and territories have primary jurisdiction over CWD management in wildlife. Cervid producers and hunters have important roles to play in the control of chronic wasting disease.
We have identified key opportunities to update our CWD Control Program to improve disease risk management in farmed cervids and better meet the needs of partners and stakeholders. The current program, launched in 2019, was designed to control CWD through prevention and early detection in farmed cervid herds. However, since its implementation, CWD has continued to spread into new areas of Canada, underscoring the need for updated approaches and stronger collaboration.
We are proposing a new program designed to improve disease risk management for farmed cervids and maintain a precautionary testing approach to limit human exposure by keeping cervids with CWD out of the commercial food supply.
Join in: How to participate
Consult the Overview: Proposed changes to Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Control Program and share your thoughts by:
- taking the survey, where you can also submit your ideas or comments, or
- send us an email: CWD-MDC@inspection.gc.ca
Who is the focus of this consultation
We are seeking comments from all groups or individuals that are interested in cervids, including:
- cervid producers
- individuals, businesses and organizations involved in the farmed cervid industry
- Indigenous Peoples
- individuals, businesses and organizations involved with wild cervids
- other government departments/agencies, including provincial/territorial
- consumers and other public parties
- veterinary and other medical professionals
- academia
Key themes for input
You are invited to share your ideas and input about the proposed changes to CFIA's CWD Control Program for farmed cervids, focusing on the following key themes:
- regional approach to CWD risk management by recognizing that CWD is emerging or established in parts of Canada
- CWD control program goals of effectively managing CWD in farmed cervid herds and minimizing human exposure to CWD prions
Please refer to the overview before you participate.
Next steps
We will:
- review all survey results and comments received. Feedback will be used to gauge how the proposed program change would impact partners and stakeholders and consider areas to further strengthen Canada's approach to CWD management
- publish a report summarizing what we heard from this consultation
Related information
- Overview: Proposed changes to Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Control Program
- Chronic wasting disease of deer and elk
- Health of Animals Act
- Animal health compensation
- CFIA consultations and engagement
- Consulting with Canadians
Contact us
Animal Health Programs Division
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
1400 Merivale Road
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0Y9
Canada
Email: CWD-MDC@inspection.gc.ca