MEDICINE HAT, Alberta — Canadian officials made a show Monday of disinfecting the footwear of British soldiers coming for training, but ranchers said they still were worried about the possible spread of foot-and-mouth disease.
The government invited journalists to watch as Canadian soldiers wearing coveralls and masks dropped the running shoes and military boots of their British counterparts into a pink disinfectant. Before they even came to the Suffield military base near this southwest Alberta city, some 140 visiting soldiers had to step onto a disinfectant welcome mat at the airport.
More than 3,000 British soldiers are expected at Suffield base by the end of August for special training, a regular occurrence for almost three decades.
“We feel our interests are being quite well protected,” said Dr. Larry Delver, a Canadian Food Inspection Agency veterinarian. However, he added: “We cannot give 100 percent guarantees for any health risks.”
That worried ranchers near the base who fear the disease, which has required the slaughter of tens of thousands of cattle in Britain, could arrive with the soldiers.
“They shouldn’t be allowed to come here, at least until they get (the disease) under control,” said Bob Hale, who ranches about 60 miles west of the base.
Most of the soldiers who arrived Monday came from Germany, with only about 20 directly from England, officials said. Another 1,000 were expected each month in April, May and August.
Soldiers entering Canada sign a declaration that they have not been on a farm for at least 14 days, said Lt. Col. Nigel Whittaker of the British army. Their clothes are washed in Europe before coming to Canada and their footwear is disinfected, placed in sterile plastic bags and is again cleaned upon arrival, he said.
