Regulation - LGIC
Amendment to O. Reg. 665/98 (Hunting) under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 to prohibit possession and use, for the purposes of hunting, of products that contain, or purport to contain, any body part of a member of the deer family, that may contribute to the potential spread of Chronic Wasting Disease, including urine, blood, glands, or other fluids
Regulation Number(s):
O. Reg. 665/98 (Hunting)
O. Reg 325/10
O. Reg 325/10
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997
Summary of Decision:
A decision was made to proceed with the proposal. The proposal was implemented by an amendment to O. Reg. 665/98 (Hunting) by O. Reg. 325/10. This regulation was filed by the Registrar of Regulations on August 17, 2010 and published in the Ontario Gazette on September 4, 2010.
Specifically, the following change was made: A new section (71) was added to the regulation which prohibit the possession and use of products that contain bodily fluids or faeces of cervids (e.g., attractants) for the purposes of hunting to help prevent the introduction of chronic wasting disease in to Ontario through the use of these products.
Specifically, the following change was made: A new section (71) was added to the regulation which prohibit the possession and use of products that contain bodily fluids or faeces of cervids (e.g., attractants) for the purposes of hunting to help prevent the introduction of chronic wasting disease in to Ontario through the use of these products.
Further Information:
Link to Environmental Registry
Proposal Number:
09-MNR001
Posting Date:
September 21, 2009
Summary of Proposal:
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has not been found in Ontario and continued vigilance is required to minimize the risk of it inadvertently being transported here. In 2005, the Ministry of Natural Resources consulted with the public on the development of the Ontario Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance & Response Plan. Prevention is a cornerstone of this plan.
CWD is a degenerative, fatal brain disease that affects certain members of the deer family, including white-tailed deer, elk, and moose. The disease is believed to be caused by abnormal proteins called prions. CWD is in the same family of diseases as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or Mad Cow Disease).
There is no evidence to date that CWD can be transmitted to humans or to domestic livestock such as cattle. However, CWD has been detected in captive/farmed deer and/or elk in 12 U.S. states and 2 Canadian provinces. There is a significant risk to wild Ontario deer, elk, and moose if CWD enters Ontario as the disease is fatal in these species and there is no cure.
One potential pathway for the spread of CWD is from possession and use of hunting attractants that contain body parts of members of the deer family including white-tailed deer, elk, moose, and other deer species. These products often contain urine, blood, gland oil, or other bodily fluids obtained from captive/farmed deer herds. These products may contain infectious material and may be capable of introducing CWD to Ontario. There is still much scientific uncertainty surrounding the role of bodily fluids in transferring CWD from one animal to another. As the source of these products is often of unknown origin and from animals of unknown health status, and as CWD continues to be detected in some captive/farmed deer and elk, these products may pose a risk of CWD transfer to Ontario.
Based on this uncertainty, an amendment to O. Reg 665/98 (Hunting) under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 is being proposed. This amendment would prohibit the possession and use of products that contain, or purport to contain, body parts of a member of the deer family (deer, moose, elk etc.) including blood, urine, gland oils, and other fluids, for the purposes of hunting.
Hunters will still be allowed to possess and use artificial or non-natural products that can attract or lure deer and moose but do not contain any body parts of a member of the deer family. These alternative products are commonly available from merchants selling hunting equipment as well as through the internet.
CWD is a degenerative, fatal brain disease that affects certain members of the deer family, including white-tailed deer, elk, and moose. The disease is believed to be caused by abnormal proteins called prions. CWD is in the same family of diseases as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or Mad Cow Disease).
There is no evidence to date that CWD can be transmitted to humans or to domestic livestock such as cattle. However, CWD has been detected in captive/farmed deer and/or elk in 12 U.S. states and 2 Canadian provinces. There is a significant risk to wild Ontario deer, elk, and moose if CWD enters Ontario as the disease is fatal in these species and there is no cure.
One potential pathway for the spread of CWD is from possession and use of hunting attractants that contain body parts of members of the deer family including white-tailed deer, elk, moose, and other deer species. These products often contain urine, blood, gland oil, or other bodily fluids obtained from captive/farmed deer herds. These products may contain infectious material and may be capable of introducing CWD to Ontario. There is still much scientific uncertainty surrounding the role of bodily fluids in transferring CWD from one animal to another. As the source of these products is often of unknown origin and from animals of unknown health status, and as CWD continues to be detected in some captive/farmed deer and elk, these products may pose a risk of CWD transfer to Ontario.
Based on this uncertainty, an amendment to O. Reg 665/98 (Hunting) under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 is being proposed. This amendment would prohibit the possession and use of products that contain, or purport to contain, body parts of a member of the deer family (deer, moose, elk etc.) including blood, urine, gland oils, and other fluids, for the purposes of hunting.
Hunters will still be allowed to possess and use artificial or non-natural products that can attract or lure deer and moose but do not contain any body parts of a member of the deer family. These alternative products are commonly available from merchants selling hunting equipment as well as through the internet.
Contact Address:
Mike Gatt
Senior Regional Wildlife Biologist
Ministry of Natural Resources
Policy Division
Biodiversity Branch
Wildlife Policy Section
300 Water Street
PO Box 7000
Peterborough Ontario
K9J 8M5
Senior Regional Wildlife Biologist
Ministry of Natural Resources
Policy Division
Biodiversity Branch
Wildlife Policy Section
300 Water Street
PO Box 7000
Peterborough Ontario
K9J 8M5
Effective Date:
August 17, 2010
Decision:
Approved