2011-04-21 Lethbridge Fish and Game Association and AWA: Call for federal policy addressing game farming and Chronic Wasting Disease
The AWA participated in a press conference organized by the Lethbridge Fish and Game Association regarding the current and critical state of the game farming industry in Alberta, and in Canada.
In support of scientists and leading conservation and public interest organizations across Canada, the Lethbridge Fish and Game Association will be demanding immediate action from all federal leaders on what the "Expert Scientific Panel" cited as "arguably the most important issue in management of free-living cervids in North America".
As predicted by scientists, Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)- a 'cervid' (elk and deer) version of mad cow disease (BSE) entered Canada in game farm animals. It quickly spread beyond the fences and is now out of control in wild herds. This poses not just a lethal threat to wildlife, there is significant, and well-founded concern that it may pose a risk to human health- potentially far worse than BSE.
Latest findings indicate CWD is literally at the gates of Calgary, and continuing to spread, yet governments continue to ignore their senior scientists, and have refused every effort for comprehensive analysis to address the underlying causes. In fact, and to the contrary, both federal and provincial governments continue to support and massively subsidize the bankrupt, indefensible industry responsible for it all.
A short video detailing the history and severity of the situation can be viewed using this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZnETacpzfQ&feature=player_embedded
For more information contact:
Rick Blakeley, President-Lethbridge Fish & Game rick.j.blakeley@gmail.com
Brian Dingreville, Past President- Lethbridge Fish & Game brianad@shaw.ca
Madeline Wilson, Conservation Specialist- AWA awa.mw@shaw.ca
