Farmers across Canada are expressing frustration with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regarding its handling of animal culls. Concerns have been raised by cattle, elk, and poultry farmers about the agency's communication and decision-making processes. Many farmers feel that the compensation provided by the government does not adequately reflect the value of their animals and is often delayed, making it difficult for them to recover financially.

Diane Sawley, a rancher from Alberta's Anchor P Cattle Company, shared her experience with the House of Commons agriculture committee last month. In July, her cows were quarantined after it was discovered that some had been purchased from a herd later found to have tuberculosis. The process of gathering and testing the animals was labor-intensive, requiring 800 man-hours. Sawley criticized the CFIA for its lack of understanding of the logistical challenges involved in the testing process, which includes blood tests and monitoring for several days.

Ultimately, eleven of Sawley's cows tested positive and were euthanized. She noted that her farm would not receive compensation for the additional costs incurred during the quarantine, which included loss of grazing land, disruptions to breeding programs, and missed marketing opportunities. "With the current cattle market at historic highs, the inability to market cattle during quarantine has been particularly stressful," Sawley said.

Erin Sawley, from Saskatchewan's East Point Cattle Corporation, also testified about her farm's struggles. After winning an award in 2024, her entire herd of 2,000 cattle was culled in February 2025 due to a positive tuberculosis case. It took until the end of March for the CFIA to carry out the cull, forcing her farm to bear the costs of caring for the animals during that time. She described the CFIA's communication as lacking, stating that information was often provided in a piecemeal fashion and that decisions seemed to be made without a clear plan.

"We still don’t know. We’re 304 days in, and we have no idea what our compensation is going to look like," Erin Sawley said. The uncertainty surrounding compensation has left her farm in a difficult position, unable to decide whether to liquidate or reinvest in the business. The extensive breeding operation that had been built over the years has been lost.

Compensation for animals ordered to be killed is based on CFIA evaluations, which are capped by legislation. However, Erin Sawley pointed out that the agency struggles with these valuations, often needing to outsource them due to a lack of internal expertise in the cattle industry. In contrast, compensation for livestock lost to wildlife predation in Saskatchewan is based on current market rates, providing a more reliable framework for farmers.

Farmers are calling for clearer timelines and better communication from the CFIA to ensure they can recover from the financial impacts of culls and continue their operations. The ongoing issues have raised questions about the agency's effectiveness and its ability to support farmers during challenging times.