Better information for commodity groups and producers is needed on how to respond when a foreign animal disease emergency occurs.
“We want to focus on prevention but the reality is most of this project is geared around response,” said Matt Taylor of the Canadian Animal Health Coalition.
The coalition developed a standardized approach for provinces to participate in responding to serious animal disease outbreaks and emergency management with $2.6 million in funding from Agriculture Canada. The work will be transitioned to the National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Council in the next six to nine months.
The information covers what happens if all movement stops, establishment of incident command centres, handling animals in transit, vaccination, feeding and destruction as well as producer obligations during that period.
Local workshops and webinars are planned to get information out to provincial commodity boards and producers as well as veterinarians who may not know much about specific foreign diseases.
