Darrel and Anthea Archer, owners of Fairburn Farm in the Cowichan Valley, imported 19 purebred river water buffalo from Denmark in January 2000. Nine were born in Bulgaria, arrived in Denmark as yearlings inlivestock  February 1997 and held in quarantine until they were acepted as Danish animals. The ten heifers were born in Denmark. We have traced their activities during those three years, in fact the vet who dealt with them in 1997 had been promoted and validated the export permit to conform with importation requirements of Canada. They have been on two farms, neither farm having any cattle. Their food was forage (silage and hay) plus hay pellets and beet pulp (sugar beets). We were attempting to import water buffalo from Romania with some difficulty when we learned of these in Denmark. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency gave approval

(CFIA) and they were flown through Frankfurt to Vancouver, accepted by the airport veterinarian and driven to our farm where they have been in approved quarantine area ever since. They have the passed test for TB and brucellosis.

In February we were advised that due to the discovery of "1" case of BSE in Denmark, the animals may have to remain in quarantine until a risk assessment based upon that BSE incident could be completed. Although we have never heard of any progress through the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, we have kept in touch with concerns third-hand from Denmark and have not been notified of any problems occurring. It was anticipated that release from quarantine was imminent so that we could finish building the dairy and prepare the animals for milking.

On September 1,2000 we were served with a Notice to ‘Remove Water Buffalo from Canada before the deadline of midnight September 15, 2000 or they shall be forfeited to Her Majesty in right of Canada and may be disposed of as the Minister may direct in accordance with Subsection 18 (4) of the Health of Animals Act.’ With only 8 working days available this was an impossible task. Lobbying and support from agricultural organizations has enabled us to have the deadline extended until October 13, 2000.

I have spoken to the Veterinary Inspector in Copenhagen, Dr. Sorensen, who assisted the Canadian food Inspection Agency with the Risk Assessment. He has verified verbally that due process has taken place and in his opinion our water buffalo have zero chance of being contaminated with BSE. In fact Denmark has never been contacted by the Canadian Government and advised as to the decision of the Risk Assessment.

The Institute of Zoology in Monterotundo, Italy has confirmed in writing that there has never been a case of BSE in water buffalo anywhere in the world and they are confident in the feeding practices in Bulgaria.

Office International des Epizooties (OIE), world animal health, United Nations Bureau in Paris, confirmed in writing that there have been no cases of BSE in water buffalo anywhere in the world. They added that the OIE has no authority to interfere with measures taken by veterinary administrations of its Member countries and so cannot help with our animals.

The FAO (Food and Animal Organization in Rome) has sent several emails from different personnel – all confirm no BSE in water buffalo with regret that they cannot assist but sent their support to us.

Australia and the United Kingdom both have successful water buffalo dairies and cheese production. Water buffalo are considered a "safe" animal because they convert poorer quality feed efficiently, therefore do not require additional grain or protein added to their feed and they are resistant to many common cattle ailments and therefore do not require antibiotics.

We are advised unofficially that our water buffalo and the perceived contamination would adversely affect the cattle industry trade with the US by BSE. The investigations to date have revealed no fear amongst farmers, and cattlemen representatives have been most interested to learn more about these animals.

The Cowichan Agricultural Society meeting, this month, discussed the Deportation of Water Buffalo and had an information package for members. They unanimously endorsed a letter of support to be sent to The Honorable Lyle Van Clief, Federal Minister of Agriculture and The Honorable Corky Evans, Provincial Minister of Agriculture with a copy to Wayne Haddow, District Agriculturist.

We are requesting immediate assistance from the farming community. We require your support regarding our Water Buffalo and in addition consider the potential for a viable industry in Canada.

Please help convince the CFIA, Provincial government and your MLA to establish further quarantine and a possible research at our Farm in the Cowichan Valley. Our animals are in excellent health and are of no risk to the Canadian livestock industry.