The Yukon Government has recently passed a control order  (control order 2018-001 under the animal health act) which requires all domestic sheep and goats in the territory to be tested for a bacteria know as M.Ovi. This bacteria is found in domestic animals and although it and does have the potential to cause respiratory illness when combined with other stressors, it is very common within domestic livestock.

This order seeks to prevent the spread of the bacteria to wild animals. Domestic sheep and goat owners in the Yukon are already required to keep all animals within an approved double fenced enclosure which eliminates the nose to nose contact that is needed for the bacteria to pass between animals. Having no cell wall the M.Ovi bacteria does not live very long outside of the host environment and so this well spaced double fenced area should negate the need to cull positive animals.

As a domestic goat owner with a small homestead in the Yukon this bill affects the lives of my livestock and that of many other small holdings in the area. 

We propose that a much better solution is to promote fencing and clear separation of wild and domestic livestock. An approach which is followed by governments in Alaska and British Columbia.

For domestic animals to spread this bacteria to the wild populations they need to have nose to nose contact so perimeter fencing plus additional fencing 2feet apart is enough to prevent this spread.

M.Ovi bacteria has already been documented in the wild caribou here in  the Yukon as well as in wild sheep both in Alaska and B.C, therefore we are hoping to end the culling that is at present required for all domestic animals that test positive.