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Engaging Partners in Strengthening Canada's Animal Health System
Proposing a Framework to Engage Partners in the development of a National Animal Health Strategy for Canada
| < Introduction | Roles and Responsibilities of Partners in the Process > |
A Partyicipatory Approach
Many organizations and individual Canadians actively contribute to Canada's animal health system. It is important to engage enough representatives of those governmental and non-governmental groups to ensure the development of a meaningful Strategy leading to the following objectives1:
- to continue to improve the quality of life of animals;
- to prevent exposure of animals to disease, toxic substances and other hazards;
- to sustain health, viable populations and their genetic diversity;
- to protect public health by minimizing potential negative impact of animals, animal products and by-products on humans and ecosystems;
- to develop integrated governance to mitigate identifiable risks;
- to strengthen domestic and international confidence in the integrity of Canada's animal health, environment protection and food safety inspection systems;
- to minimize the economic and social consequences of disease occurrences;
- to protect ecosystem health through prudent animal health practices.
To demonstrate its commitment, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has accepted to lead the development of Canada's National Animal Health Strategy (NAHS). Acknowledging the importance of engaging partners in public health, fisheries and aquaculture, agriculture and environment, a National Animal Health Strategy Team was struck bringing together individuals from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the provinces/territories, to share their knowledge and expertise in developing this Strategy.
The NAHS Team is also engaging individuals and organizations using established government and association networks to reach as many partners as possible in this process. The following table lists the non-government organizations that have accepted (or have been proposed) to play a leadership role in ensuring relevant players are actively involved in the process.
| NGO Leading Organization(s) | Type of Animal Health System Contributors Represented |
|---|---|
| Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) | Veterinarians |
| Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) | Players using animals for research, teaching or testing. |
| National Companion Animal Coalition (NCAC) | Those involved with companion animals. |
| Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI) | Developers, manufacturers and distributors of animal pharmaceuticals, biologicals, feed additives and animal pesticides in Canada. |
| Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) | CAZA represents leading zoological parks and aquariums in Canada |
| Canadian Animal Health Coalition (CAHC) | Mainly large producers of food farmed animals |
| Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS) | Animal welfare |
| Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance | Represents to interests of Canadian aquaculture operators, feed companies and suppliers as well as provincial finfish and shellfish aquaculture associations. |
| Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada | Represents academic institutions in Canada |
| Wildlife NGOs | Represents conservationists and wildlife users. |
These documents are works in progress. The substantive content is for discussion purposes and reflects initial perspectives of officials in the National Animal Health Strategy. They will evolve and improve with feedback from readers. These documents do not represent the position of the Government of Canada.
