British Columbia farmers and ranchers are reminded to register their premises with the provincial government.
Many have registered their property and received an identification number, but thousands more need to sign on, said Tiffany Guan of the B.C. agriculture ministry. Chicken and dairy farmers have been notified, but it’s more difficult finding farms outside the supply management system.
“For the non-regulated group, there is no way to reach out to them,” Guan said. “We need it for emergency planning to contact people with animals.”
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The premises identification program is a national system administered in each province and territory to track the location of animals in case of disease, a public health related emergency or an emergency such as a natural disaster affecting animals and people.
A premise is any parcel of land where animals, plants or food are grown, kept, assembled or disposed. These include farms, stables, pastures, feedlots, hatcheries, community pastures, research facilities, insemination centres, auctions, rendering plants and abattoirs.
Producers are required to provide the legal land description or geo-referenced co-ordinates, contact names of owners and name of operation, premise type and what animals are kept there. Register online at www.agf.gov.bc.ca/foodsafety/bc_pid.htm or call 888-221-7141.
