The provincial government has taken new measures it hopes will help prevent, detect and respond to animal diseases and other related health events to better protect the people, animals, and economy of Ontario.
The Animal Health Act, 2009 was passed recently by the Ontario legislature.
When proclaimed, it will provide tools to help support government and industry partners, including:
– enabling the use of quarantine orders, surveillance zones and animal health control area orders to help control the spread of any detected disease or hazard; and
– support a future traceability framework for quick identification and control of disease and food safety hazards.
The passage of the bill came after consultation with the industry and public on an animal health strategy for Ontario, which began in 2006. In the new year, the ministry plans to establish a committee with representative industry partners, to guide development of initial regulations that will come under the bill.
“This important legislation establishes a framework that will protect our animals and make our agri-food sector more competitive,” said Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “I look forward to working with industry partners [to] develop regulations under the act that will further enhance our ability to protect Ontario’s livestock and poultry.”
Chief Veterinarian for Ontario Dr. Deb Stark said the act “provides us with new tools to help keep Ontario’s livestock and poultry healthy, and to quickly address any potential risks to their health. [It] is an important step in strengthening Ontario’s animal health system.”
Ontario is home to Canada’s most diverse livestock and poultry industries, with the largest poultry industry, second-largest swine and dairy industries and third-largest beef industry.
