National Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Program

Bovine tuberculosis (TB) is an important infectious disease of livestock and certain wildlife populations that results in livestock production losses, marketing impediments, and poses a risk to public health. Internationally recognized as a serious disease listed with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH; founded as Office International des Épizooties (OIE)), bovine TB and has been the subject of a mandatory national eradication program in Canada since 1923.

Bovine TB is a complex and challenging disease that is difficult to eradicate. After nearly a century of effort, financial investment, and close collaboration on the part of various federal, provincial and industry stakeholders, Canada has made great strides towards eradication. This has required a sustained effort using a range of science-based and internationally recognized measures aimed at detecting infection in livestock and preventing its transmission to and from wildlife. As a result the disease is virtually eliminated except for the occurrence of rare cases in domestic animals. This has been a significant achievement for both animal and public health in Canada.

The goal of the program is the early detection and complete eradication of bovine TB from livestock in Canada. Achieving eradication will require ongoing collaboration and vigilance to prevent the re-emergence of bovine TB in the domestic livestock population. This will maintain Canada's reputation as a supplier of safe and high quality livestock and livestock products. The CFIA's TB eradication program continues to evolve to incorporate scientific and diagnostic advancements and to reflect the current disease status across the country with the goal of protecting and maintaining the health of Canada's animals, people and economy.