Overview

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a degenerative, fatal brain disease. It affects certain members of the deer family or cervids, including:

  • white-tailed deer
  • elk
  • moose
  • potentially caribou

The disease is believed to be caused by abnormal proteins called prions and is in the same family of diseases as Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), also known as mad cow disease. There is currently no cure for CWD.

There is currently no conclusive evidence that CWD can be transmitted to humans, but public health authorities recommend the precautionary principle and that CWD-positive animals should not be consumed.

Learn more about chronic wasting disease and Ontario’s wild cervid surveillance program.

Cervids in Ontario

CWD has not been detected in Ontario wildlife to date.

It has been found in four provinces and over 30 US states. This includes several nearby jurisdictions such as Quebec, Manitoba and all US states bordering Ontario. Learn more about current cases in North America through the United States Geological Survey (USGS) National Wildlife Health Centre.

The movement of live cervids has been linked to the initial spread of CWD from the United States to Canada (Saskatchewan), as well as from Canada to South Korea.

Effects of the disease

In provinces and states where CWD has been detected, there have been significant social, economic and environmental impacts.

In some areas, the disease threatens the sustainability of native wildlife and the viability of the captive cervid industry. In other jurisdictions, recreational hunting, and the associated economic benefits of this activity, have been harmed by this disease.

No jurisdiction has been able to eradicate the disease once it has been introduced to cervids in the wild despite extraordinary efforts and expense. This is why Ontario has taken action and needs to remain vigilant in these efforts.

What we’re doing

In 2019, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) implemented a revised chronic wasting disease prevention and response plan that will ensure the province has the right approaches in place to minimize the risk of the disease entering into or spreading within Ontario.

As of January 1, 2021, there are new rules concerning the import into, transport through, and movement within Ontario of live captive cervids (members of the deer family: 37 species, including all species of deer, caribou, elk and moose).

These rules will help mitigate the risk of introducing CWD into Ontario by prohibiting the import into or movement within Ontario of live captive cervids, unless done so under a permit.

Permit process

Import of live cervids into Ontario

As of January 1, 2021, no person shall transport a live cervid into Ontario unless you’ve been issued a permit by the MNRF authorizing the transport of the cervid into Ontario.

MNRF will only issue a permit for import or transport of live captive cervids if:

  • you meet certain conditions
  • the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) provides the MNRF written notice that the conditions have been met

Import movement conditions

A permit will only be issued if you meet all of the following conditions:

  • captive cervids are from jurisdictions that have been free from CWD in either captive or wild cervids for the six-year period prior to the date of import
  • a qualified veterinarian has confirmed that the cervid being transported into Ontario is from a herd that is fully certified in a chronic wasting disease herd certification program in the jurisdiction from which the cervid is being imported
  • the cervid is unlikely to be at risk of spreading chronic wasting disease based on the qualified veterinarian’s assessment of the cervid’s health and movement history

Any cervid being transported into Ontario must be identified with a unique number.

Persons transporting the live captive cervid into or through Ontario must ensure the cervid is securely contained in the transport vehicle at all times during transportation within Ontario.

Import destination conditions

Live captive cervids imported into Ontario must meet 1 of the following:

  • be transported to a place of captivity that has adopted both of the following measures in order to prevent the introduction and spread of CWD:
    • the place has a two-gate system through which vehicles transporting animals must pass before the animals are released and the gates are separated by sufficient space so as to allow vehicles to stop between the gates as the first gate is being shut and the second gate is being opened
    • the place is enclosed by a system of double fencing that is designed to prevent a captive cervid from escaping or has 1 of the following means of preventing such animals from escaping that is as effective as a system of double fencing:
      • the place is enclosed by a single fence and a system of electrified fencing
      • the place is enclosed by a single fence that is sufficiently high and solid to prevent the animals from escaping
      • the place has a system of landscaping arrangements and natural barriers that are sufficient to prevent the animals from escaping
  • be delivered to a place for slaughtering in which the animal is slaughtered immediately upon arrival
  • be in temporary transit through Ontario from one destination to another

Premises-to-premises movement conditions

As it relates to the movement of live cervids between premises within Ontario, you may not transport a live cervid that is being kept in captivity in Ontario except under the authority of a permit issued by the minister. A permit will only be issued where the cervid meets 1 of the following origin criteria:

  • the cervid was born and has lived its entire life in Ontario
  • if not born in Ontario, has lived in Ontario for at least 5 years from the date of transportation into Ontario
  • was transported into Ontario after January 1, 2021 in accordance with regulations under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act
  • was transported into Ontario prior to January 1, 2021, and both:
    • the only other jurisdiction that the cervid lived in was a jurisdiction that has been free from chronic wasting disease for at least 6 years prior to the date it was transported into Ontario
    • the cervid originated from a herd that was fully certified in a chronic wasting disease herd certification program established in that jurisdiction
  • the cervid has not been in contact with any other cervids other than a cervid that meets 1 of the origin criteria described under the first bullet
  • a qualified veterinarian has confirmed that the cervid is unlikely to be at risk of spreading chronic wasting disease based on the cervid’s health and movement history

The person transporting a live captive cervid within Ontario ensures the cervid is securely contained in the transit vehicle at all times during transportation.

Place of captivity conditions

Live cervids must be delivered to a place of captivity that has adopted all the following measures to prevent the introduction and spread of disease:

  • The place has a two-gate system through which vehicles transporting animals must pass before the animals are released and the gates are separated by sufficient space so as to allow vehicles to stop between the gates as the first gate is being shut and the second gate is being opened.
  • The place is enclosed by a system of double fencing that is designed to prevent a captive cervid from escaping or has 1 of the following means of preventing such animals from escaping that is as effective as a system of double fencing:
    • the place is enclosed by a single fence and a system of electrified fencing
    • the place is enclosed by a single fence that is sufficiently high and solid to prevent the animals from escaping
    • the place has a system of landscaping arrangements and natural barriers that are sufficient to prevent the animals from escaping

Exceptions premises-to-premises

Exceptions to the permitting requirement for cervids being moved between premises within Ontario are granted if the cervid is being transported to any of the following:

  1. a place for slaughtering in which the animal is contained and slaughtered immediately upon arrival
  2. a location outside of Ontario (note: cervids being temporarily transported out of Ontario must meet the requirements for cervid import to return to Ontario, regardless of the length of time the animals were out-of-province)
  3. another location within Ontario solely for the purposes of a temporary exhibit, display or event, as long as the cervid:
    • is at the exhibit, display or event for no longer than 14 days
    • is returned to the place of captivity upon completion of the exhibit, display or event
    • does not have any contact with cervids from any other location while at the exhibit, display or event
    • is identified with a unique number while at the exhibit, display or event

Exceptions are also permitted if the cervid is a wild American elk, moose, white-tailed deer or woodland caribou that is being transported to or from a place of temporary captivity for the purposes of either:

  • medical treatment by a veterinarian
  • rehabilitation or care by a wildlife custodian who is authorized to keep the species in captivity under section 44 the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997

To get a provincial permit from the MNRF, you must first receive a written notice from OMAFRA.

All documentation provided by applicants seeking issuance of movement permits will be reviewed and verified by OMAFRA and then forwarded to the MNRF for review prior to issuance of a provincial permit.

Contact us

For more information about permit requirements for the import or movement of live captive cervids within Ontario, please contact the Agricultural Information Contact Centre by phone at 1-877-424-1300 or by email ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.

In the event of an error, omission or discrepancy between these materials and the legislation, the legislation prevails.

Decision tree: moving live captive cervids between premises within Ontario

  • Question 1: Will the cervids be sent for immediate slaughter and not off-loaded; or exported out of Ontario; or moved to a temporary show, exhibit or event within Ontario for less than 2 weeks in duration and will not be in contact with any other cervids at any time?
    • If yes, cervids do not require a movement permit and may be moved. While you do not need a permit under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, you may need other permits through the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
    • If no, continue to question 2.
  • Question 2: Were the cervids born in Ontario; or imported into Ontario more than 5 years ago; or imported after January 1, 2021, in accordance with MNRF regulations; or were the cervids imported into Ontario from a jurisdiction that has been free of chronic wasting disease for the past 6 years and originated from a herd fully Certified in a Voluntary Herd Certification Program?
    • If yes, continue to question 3.
    • If no, cervids are not eligible to be moved or permitted.
  • Question 3: Have the cervids been in contact with any cervids that do not meet the requirements in question 2?
    • If yes, cervids are not eligible to be moved or permitted.
    • If no, continue to question 4.
  • Question 4: Does the place to which the cervids are being moved meet both of these prescribed biosecurity features: a two-gate system to allow vehicles to stop between the gates as the first gate is being shut and the second gate is being opened; and enclosed by a system of double fencing that is designed to prevent a captive cervid from escaping?
    • If yes, cervids are eligible to be issued a movement permit. Proceed to the application process.
    • If no, continue to question 5.
  • Question 5: Does the place to which the cervids are being moved meet at least one of these prescribed biosecurity features: a two-gate system to allow vehicles to stop between the gates as the first gate is being shut and the second gate is being opened; and enclosed by a single fence and a system of electrified fencing; or enclosed by a single fence that is sufficiently high and solid to prevent the cervids from escaping; or the place has a system of landscaping arrangements and natural barriers that are sufficient to prevent the cervids from escaping?
    • If yes, cervids are eligible to be issued a movement permit, proceed to the application process.
    • If no, cervids are not eligible to be moved or permitted.

Decision tree: importation of live captive cervids into or through Ontario from another jurisdiction

  • Question 1: Are the cervids being imported from a state, province or territory that has been free from chronic wasting disease for the previous 6 years?
    • If yes, continue to question 2.
    • If no, cervids are not eligible to be imported.
  • Question 2: Are the cervids from a herd that is fully certified in the state/province/territory’s Voluntary Herd Certification Program?
    • If yes, continue to question 3.
    • If no, cervids are not eligible to be imported.
  • Question 3: If imported into Ontario, does the place within Ontario to which the cervids are being moved meet both of these prescribed biosecurity features: a two-gate system to allow vehicles to stop between the gates as the first gate is being shut and the second gate is being opened; and enclosed by a system of double fencing that is designed to prevent a captive cervid from escaping?
    • If yes, cervids are eligible to be issued a movement permit. Proceed to the application process.
    • If no, continue to question 4.
  • Question 4: If imported into Ontario, does the place within Ontario to which the cervids are being moved have a two-gate system to allow vehicles to stop between the gates as the first gate is being shut and the second gate is being opened; and meets at least 1 of these prescribed biosecurity features: enclosed by a single fence and a system of electrified fencing; or enclosed by a single fence that is sufficiently high and solid to prevent the cervids from escaping; or a system of landscaping arrangements and natural barriers that are sufficient to prevent the cervids from escaping?
    • If yes, cervids are eligible to be issued an import permit. Proceed to the application process.
    • If no, continue to question 5.
  • Question 5: Are the cervids being imported into Ontario directly to a place for immediate slaughter, or in transit through Ontario to another jurisdiction?
    • If yes, cervids are eligible to be issued an import permit, proceed to the application process.
    • If no, to be eligible for import, cervids that are not immediately slaughtered upon import must be moved to a place meeting the biosecurity requirements.

This document is for summary and information purposes only. For specific details, refer to O. Reg. 666/98: Possession, Buying and Selling of Wildlife under Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997.