Alberta’s animal health laboratories changed their duties April 1.
The four labs in Fairview, Edmonton, Airdrie and Lethbridge quit doing post-mortems to focus on animal health surveillance, said director Cornelia Kreplin.
The examination of portions of animals and fetuses was turned over to private labs in November 1996. Starting April 1, all routine post-mortems on animals will be handled by private labs or private practice veterinarians. Provincial staff will help with difficult cases.
In their new job, the provincial vets will look at the risk and trends of disease in the provincial animal population.
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“We can’t be all things to all people anymore and we have to take a look at the services that are going to be required in the 21st century,” Kreplin said.
Trading partners want information about the status of disease and the risk factors.
“Trade is not going to be based on good will or trust. Trade in agriculture is going to based on science,” said Kreplin. The information will be gathered in a surveillance program and will include plant and animal health.
Information on the incidence and types of disease in the province will be useful when negotiating trade agreements.
