Canada and the United States plan to initiate a cross-border policy to allow emergency transportation of livestock across the international boundary during disasters.
In a joint statement by Canada’s chief veterinary officer, Dr. Mary Jane Ireland, and her U.S. counterpart, Dr. Rosemary Sifford, the two vets heralded the move.
“We are pleased to announce that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS), have officially agreed to implement an Emergency Transit Policy for Regulated Animals,” read the statement. “The policy makes it easier and faster to evacuate regulated animals such as livestock, birds, pets and companion animals across the border during (emergencies).”
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Emergencies would include flooding, fires, extreme weather, other disasters, “or when routine transportation routes are impaired without feasible alternatives,” according to the two chief veterinarians.
Animals moved across the border during an emergency will be instructed when and which ports they can re-enter their respective country.
Under the police, once an emergency is declared the respective country will be required to inspect animals, apply official seals on transporting vehicles and have a simplified export health certificate issued by a veterinarian at the port of exit or at the premises of origin.
The joint policy was developed by the two countries though the Canada-U.S. Regulatory Cooperation Council.
