Canadian systems used to recognize, track and control reportable livestock diseases need improvement, says Brian Evans, Canada’s chief veterinary officer.
He reminded veterinarians that they are the front line in disease detection and in the fight to protect the animal agriculture industry from opportunistic pathogens and governments.
Part of the future of export livestock agriculture is “very much on your shoulders. You and the producer,” Evans told the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association annual conference.
As head veterinarian at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Evans knows the international agreements for control of livestock diseases.
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“Reporting systems are well established … but they are largely dependent on official notifications being received from the source country,” he said.
“However, within Canada and the region of the Americas, more must be done to involve private practitioners and producers.
“Everyone in the industry has to come to an understanding about the importance of early disease detection and traceability.”
Saskatchewan cattle feeder Brian Perkins agreed.
“As a producer today, if you see an animal a little unstable on its feet and staggering, our first response in our minds might be to knock it down and put it in the compost pile out back.
“That won’t help our industry. Not finding a problem early is the worst thing that can happen for the cattle business. Producers need to understand that the animal needs to be tested. They need the support of their local vet and to know their government stands behind them.”
Evans said early recognition of diseases like BSE and avian flu will aid control and retain consumer confidence in meat.
“The maintenance of a viable domestic market can, in the short term, provide a basis for the sustaining hope, capacity and infrastructure for a longer term recovery,” said Evans.
He added that federal agencies such as his need to invest in labs and in communication staff to “be the spokesperson for the issue and not tie up our best scientists” with informing the public.
Perkins said Canadian producers have to realize the systems are there to protect their industry.
“Unfortunately it feels like we are being punished for finding disease and dealing with it. Countries that don’t look don’t have a problem, and that is wrong,” he said.
Evans agreed that countries, including Canada, that try to maintain public and animal health protection have “in many instances unjustifiably and unduly had punishing market restrictions placed upon them.”
