Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Health of Animals Act input sought

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

by BETTER FARMING STAFF

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency wants to hear from the industry about proposed changes to the federal Health of Animals Act.

According to a discussion paper published on its website Monday, changes being proposed include:

  • Adding regulatory requirements to confirm the identity of an animal including, in some cases, alternative methods such as DNA tests or retinal scans;
  • Standardizing identification requirements for both domestic and imported animals;
  • Expanding, when there is industry support, the categories of information collected about an animal, such as its breed or genetics;
  • Requiring that farm premises be identified. Existing provincial and territorial registries could be used ‘as long as they are built on national standards adopted by federal, provincial and territorial governments’;
  • Introducing compliance and enforcement programs to ensure participation from all industry players;
  • Building in provisions to protect personal and confidential information that would go above and beyond those in the federal Privacy Act and, at the same time, permit access to non-personal information for scientific studies and emergency simulations. A system of offences and penalties would be used to enforce these provisions;
  • Requiring the reporting of animal movements ‘and other events critical for disease management and food safety to an industry-led administrator’;
  • Introducing additional record-keeping requirements.

The agency is proposing that the costs of the traceability framework be shared between government and industry. It’s also proposing that, while standards may very, they should all be incorporated under a national framework. “The system will strive to be flexible to allow for the evolution of those standards,” the paper says.

It is also calling for a technology and traceability national information portal to provide “authorized users with a single point of access to compile information.”

The agency has set May 3, 2012 as the deadline for providing written comments. Once the legislative framework is in place, regulations would be developed. The paper says the regulations “would be implemented for a species (or multiple species), in a phased-in manner based on industry readiness and extensive consultations with affected stakeholders.”

Tara Haas, an agency spokesperson, says no target date has yet been set to introduce the changes to the act.

According to an agency news release, traceability “is the ability to follow an item or a group of items - such as animal, plant or food products or their ingredients - from one point in the supply chain to another.” BF

Current Issue

November 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

CLAAS Expands with New Ontario Dealership

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

CLAAS is expanding its reach across Canada with HJV’s new dealership in Winchester, Ontario. The regional dealer, already known for its strong service network, celebrated its grand opening on September 24, 2025, drawing more than 400 local farmers. The new Winchester dealership offers... Read this article online

Updates to Case IH RB566 Round Baler

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

The Case IH RB566 round baler has been redesigned with a strong focus on serviceability, dependability, and efficiency, offering farmers a more advanced and reliable baling experience. According to Brian Williams, livestock product specialist with Case IH, the latest improvements... Read this article online

Demco-Welker Farms Collab Delivers Big Buddy

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Demco recently introduced the Big Buddy grain cart, a product of collaboration with Big Equipment, the makers of Big Bud tractors, Titan Tires, and the well-known Montana-based Welker Farms. The project began when the Welker family decided to rebuild and modify their iconic Big Bud... Read this article online

New MacDon FD2 Plus Draper Header

Monday, October 27, 2025

Case IH continues to expand its innovative harvest equipment lineup with the launch of the MacDon FD2 Plus Draper Header, a new series designed to provide farmers with smoother, cleaner, and more efficient harvesting. Available in multiple widths — 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, and even 61... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top