Animal health act proposes powerful crisis prevention powers for province Monday, October 5, 2009 by SUSAN MANNOntario’s proposed Animal Health Act is what the livestock and poultry industry had in mind for laws to help detect, control and even prevent animal diseases, says dairy and veal farmer Deborah Whale. The proposed Act was introduced in Ontario’s legislature Monday and Whale, who farms with her husband Bruce south of Drayton, is “absolutely delighted. We’ve been waiting a long, long time for this.”Not everyone shares Whale’s enthusiasm. Progressive Conservative agriculture critic Ernie Hardeman approves of the bill’s purpose but is concerned farmers may be expected to foot the bill for establishing the framework for traceability measures.That would be totally unacceptable, particularly with what’s going on in the hog and beef industries, he says.Hardeman also challenges the bill’s lack of detail concerning who pays for livestock should contagious animals on infected premises be ordered euthanized.He says the bill should be sent to committee once the second reading debate is done and there should be public hearings “to hear from the people who are going to be impacted by it.”Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs spokesman Brent Ross says Ontario’s livestock and poultry sector asked the provincial government in 2006 for animal health legislation to protect animal and human health. “The proposal for the legislation is designed to help prevent and quickly control animal diseases when they occur and thereby minimize potential negative impacts.”Whale says the livestock and poultry community has worked very hard to get an animal health act for Ontario. The government’s proposal is “section by section, what we wanted.”The Act will facilitate government and industry’s ability to respond in crisis situations. It will also “make sure that we’re prepared so that we don’t face a crisis,” Whale says.Ontario’s Chief Veterinarian Dr. Deb Stark says the proposed Act will enable the government to work with industry groups interested in establishing preventative programs.In a written statement, Ontario Agriculture Minister Leona Dombrowsky says the proposed legislation would protect both animal and human health and “would enable us to respond to disease situations promptly.”Proposal features are:1. reporting of specific animal diseases to Ontario’s Chief Veterinarian;2. enabling the use of quarantine orders, surveillance zones and animal health control areas to control the spread of detected diseases or hazards;3. supporting a future traceability framework to quickly identify and control disease and food safety hazards.Ross says the proposed Act enables Ontario’s government to do certain things that it can’t necessarily do easily now, for example establishing quarantines, surveillance and areas of control.Ontario’s proposed Act won’t replace or duplicate federal animal disease control laws but instead compliment them, Ross says. “It allows us to more effectively assist the federal government or other provinces.”Ontario is the only Canadian province without an animal health act.If the legislation is passed, livestock and poultry groups will be consulted on regulations, Ross says. BF Power at Work: A handy trick to save a worn shaft Letter from Europe: Light and fresh air - Rx for higher yields
Early Career Research Award supports two Guelph research initiatives Friday, July 4, 2025 The was presented to two University of Guelph researchers at the recently held Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) symposium. Dr. Kelsey Spence received $40,000 towards her work in on-farm biosecurity research, and Dr. Sam Workenhe was awarded $60,000 to further his... Read this article online
Grape Growers 40th Annual Celebrity Luncheon has Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser Friday, July 4, 2025 The Grape Growers of Ontario’s marks the opening of the by showcasing Canadian personalities and celebrating the annual grape harvest. This year, in partnership with Meridian Credit Union, Ontario’s largest credit union and the third largest in Canada, the Grape Growers of Ontario... Read this article online
Ontario crops respond to summer heat Wednesday, July 2, 2025 According to the OMAFA Field Crop News team, Ontario field crops are showing rapid development as summer-like temperatures have dominated late June early July. The warm spell has accelerated growth and helped reduce the heat unit deficit from a cool spring. Corn fields have seen a burst... Read this article online
Canada’s Place in Global Food System Resilience Wednesday, July 2, 2025 Canada’s food system is facing serious pressure due to global supply chain issues, climate change, and rising food prices. According to a KPMG report, bold and united action is needed now to make Canada’s agriculture sector more resilient and self-reliant. With the global population... Read this article online
Calf Auction Raises Funds for Youth Monday, June 30, 2025 Wyatt Westman-Frijters from Milverton won a heifer calf named Ingrid through a World Milk Day promotion by Maplevue Farms and a local Perth, Ontario radio station. Instead of keeping the calf, 22-year-old Westman-Frijters chose to give back to the community. The calf was sent to the... Read this article online