Archived - Chapter 17 - Ante and Post-mortem Procedures, Dispositions, Monitoring and Controls - Meat Species, Ostriches, Rheas and Emus
17.8 Special Inspection Procedures

17.8.1 Animals Ordered to be Slaughtered Under the Health of Animals Regulations

17.8.1.1 Compensation for Animals Ordered to be Slaughtered

This section is currently under review.

17.8.1.2 Handling of Animals Ordered to be Slaughtered

This section is currently under review.

17.8.1.3 Specimen Submission from Animals Ordered Slaughtered

This section is currently under review.

17.8.2 Enhanced Inspection Procedures of Bovines for Cysticercus bovis

17.8.2.1 Index Case

If on routine examination, one or more carcasses in a lot are found to be affected with lesions suggestive of Cysticercus bovis, all affected carcasses and their parts shall be held pending laboratory confirmation. As bovine cysticercosis is a reportable disease under the Health of Animals Act, the identity of the owner and the origin of the cattle must be established for follow up. As soon as a probable lesion is detected, the inspector shall record the permanent identification number or, if it is missing, all pertinent information which would assist in identifying the origin of the carcass(es), e.g. ear tags, brands, etc.

17.8.2.2 Laboratory Confirmation

Please consult Chapter 5 for more information on submission of tissues for laboratory confirmation.

Laboratory reports will reflect the results of histological examination of the submitted lesions and will consist of one of three possible options:

• 1) The lesion was not caused by C. bovis. The pathologist will describe the lesion observed, adding the statement that the etiology of the lesion was not C. bovis. In this case, the carcass(es) from which the lesion originated may be considered not to be infested and should therefore be released without further treatment.
• 2) The lesion was caused by C. bovis. The pathologist will describe the lesion observed adding a statement which indicates that the etiology of the lesion was C. bovis.
• 3) C. bovis cannot be ruled out as a possible cause of the lesion. In this case, the pathologist will describe the lesion observed adding a statement which indicates that the lesion is consistent with that caused by C. bovis. For post-mortem judgement purposes, these carcasses must be considered infested.

Note: When at least one (1) carcass from a lot of cattle is considered to be infested, all carcasses which originate from that lot and which exhibit gross lesions suggestive of C. bovis shall also be considered to be infested.

17.8.2.3 Slaughter of Bovines from Cysticercus Bovis Infested Premises

Cysticercosis is a reportable disease under the Health of Animals Regulations. Subsequent lots of cattle which originate from infested premises and which are sent to slaughter under licence shall be subjected to a more detailed examination than usual by thorough slicing of:

• the heart;
• the external and internal muscles of mastication;
• the muscular portion of the diaphragm;
• the tongue and the oesophagus; and
• the musculature exposed during the dressing operations of the carcass.

All carcasses exhibiting gross lesions suggestive of C. bovis shall be considered infested and disposed of accordingly. Laboratory confirmation is not required for this action.

Under the Health of Animals Act and its regulations, compensation is paid for carcasses which are licenced to slaughter and subsequently condemned or treated due to Cysticercosis. To implement this policy, the following procedures shall be followed:

• Cattle licenced to be slaughtered at an establishment should be accompanied by a copy of form CFIA/ACIA 1509 (License for Removal of Animals or things) and be appropriately identified.
• On arrival at the establishment, the animals shall be segregated from other cattle until slaughtered at a time which is mutually acceptable to plant management and the Veterinarian in Charge.
• The Veterinarian in Charge of the establishment shall fill out CFIA/ACIA 5179 (Ante-mortem and Post-mortem Inspection Report) immediately after the slaughter of the licenced cattle. Each carcass and its disposition shall be recorded on the CFIA/ACIA 5179.

Depending on the basis of payment at the abattoir, the Veterinarian in Charge shall provide the district veterinarian with the live weight of the animals or the dressed weight and grade of the carcasses, for all animals licensed to be slaughtered. To assist in the estimation of the value lost as a result of condemnation or freezing, infested carcasses may be held until they have been graded. Appropriate action will be taken to ensure that infested carcasses are graded as soon after slaughter as feasible. In addition, the Veterinarian in Charge shall provide the district veterinarian with details regarding the total amount of money paid to the producer by the plant management, supported by a copy of the invoice under which the payment was made.