Press Response

Suzuki Off Base On Elk Farming

By Eric Robinson, President, Ontario Elk Breeders Association
Owen Sound Sun Times, May 2002

It is with some sadness that I find myself forced to respond to an article, by David Suzuki, recently printed in the Sun Times. I had grown to respect his opinions and statements on diverse issues. This article on chronic wasting disease and elk and deer farms lead me to believe that Suzuki might not research enough some of his articles and might be misled by some people into making ridiculous statements.

Imagine my surprise when I read Suzuki's statements on the rumours of three young Americans eating venison and coming down with Creutzfeldt Jakob's Disease. This case was thoroughly investigated by the Center for Disease Control in the US and there was no connection established between eating venison and getting CJD.

"...measures to control and eradicate the disease have been put in place..."

Suzuki then mentioned that there is no cause for concern. Indeed, Canadian elk and deer farmers are concerned—measures to control and eradicate the disease have been put in place, self-regulations have been instituted, trace-back programs are being financed by the industry—but let us first remember that, as stated by the Food and Drug Association TSE Advisory Committee in the US, there are no signs that CWD is transmissible to humans or other types of livestock.

The tuberculosis outbreak in the late 1980's was expensive, but certainly nowhere close to the estimate stated by Suzuki.

Elk and deer farms have paid in taxes much more than the cost of the tuberculosis outbreak. This industry is a vibrant one and a productive part of agriculture.

Existed for Centuries

Elk and deer farms have existed for centuries. To date, these types of farms exist in more than 40 countries. In New Zealand, there are 2.8 million farmed elk and deer. It is considered as an up-and-coming part of agriculture, a successful part of the diversification effort and more and more farmers are entering the industry.

What's next? Some wildlife activists have never accepted the existence of elk and deer farms and find every possible way to undermine our history. These are not rational individuals. Some other wildlife activists have started a dialogue with our organizations and are more interested in meaningful discussion with potential co-operation—some of our producers are volunteering with Parks Canada for the handling of elk in the West. We believe that this type of co-operation is useful.

Not Be Misled

Canadians will not be misled by falacies of Suzuki's article. Canadians will not accompany a few extreme wildlife activists in their crusade against agriculture. And again, Canadians will not forget that the experiments of some of these scientists are at the source of these diseases.

"Elk and deer farmers have behaved responsibly... in order
to solve livestock disease issues."

Livestock diseases exist in every type of farming. Going through Suzuki's slippery slope of getting rid of one type of farming due to the existence of a disease is extremely dangerous for the farming community.

Suzuki is a well-known advocate for a cleaner environment—he should continue in that role. It would be better for him to continue to do what he is best at and not get involved in a debate where he is not getting the right information.

Elk and deer farmers have behaved responsibly and have established with the federal government (both agriculture and wildlife branches) and other organizations a good working relationship in order to solve livestock disease issues.

Our products are safe, our producers and the government put in place the necessary regulations to eradicate the disease in farms. New elk and deer farms are being started across the country on a regular basis, new processing plants for our products are opening (creating jobs and paying taxes), auction places have been created, also, creating jobs, etc.

The Canadian government, provincial governments, other countries and 2,500 Canadian farming facilities are considering elk and deer farming as a good potential for the enhancement of farm sustainability.

Eric Robinson
President, Ontario Elk Breeders Association