Institutional links
Canadian Wildlife Directors Committee
Canadian Wildlife Directors Committee
July 31, 2007
Agenda
Administrative Housekeeping
- Approval of Record of Decision from June’s teleconference?
- Permission to post records of discussion on NAHS website?
The proposed NAHS' outcomes are:
- to continue to improve the quality of life for animals;
- to prevent exposure of animals to disease, toxic substances and other health hazards;
- to sustain animal health, viable animal 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;
... as well as ...
- 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;
- and to protect ecosystem health through prudent animal health practices.
Comments? Concerns?
Definitions – Round II
Definition of Wildlife
- Animals that are free-ranging and not dependant on humans for food, shelter or other essential functions.
- For the purposes of the NAHS, wildlife includes introduced and indigenous species, as well as domestic animals that have become feral.
- The species of predominant concern to the NAHS are vertebrates: fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
- Notes
- The June teleconference’s discussion included habitat and plants in the definition of wildlife. Should we adjust the above or state that the health of wildlife is dependant on healthy habitat?
- These bullets are consistent with the NWDS, 2005
- Notes
Definition – Animal Health
- The state of a living organism, species, or population which can sustain biological functions to preserve its own integrity.
The definition of “animal health” includes “animal welfare”
Definition – Wildlife Health
- The capacity of a wild population to adapt to, respond to, or control environmental challenges and changes.
Definition – Animal Welfare
- The state of an animal when it is in harmony with its environment and its physical health, and behavioural needs are fulfilled in accordance with expert opinion and scientific knowledge .
- In terms of wildlife, welfare extends to individual wild animals only when humans interact with wild populations (i.e. hunting/trapping, research, population management, habitat change)
Next Steps
Documenting Wildlife Values
- Social
- Cultural
- Economical
- Ecological
Any reports, research, documentation would be appreciated.
- Already have NWDS Annexes and 1996 Status Report
Our proposed next steps are...
- How should CCWHC and provincial wildlife health specialists be engaged in the NAHS?
- With CWDC members in the CWDC-NAHS working group?
- Who are the key NGOs to engage from a NAHS-wildlife perspective?
- To define the scope of the NAHS (what is in? out? why?)
- Value circles will be used to conceptually model the linkages between specific phases of an animal’s life (and use), the associated activities (i.e. on-the-ground actions) and involved stakeholders. Its purpose is to:
- To articulate the activities and partners working in the wildlife sector
- To initiate the discussion as to what should be included vs. not included (and why) in the NAHS
- To establish commonalities/interdependencies between animal groups (wildlife, companion, farmed animals, zoos/aquariums)
- A “draft” value circle for wildlife is under development and will be circulated ASAP
- Value circles will be used to conceptually model the linkages between specific phases of an animal’s life (and use), the associated activities (i.e. on-the-ground actions) and involved stakeholders. Its purpose is to:
- Key scope issues for wildlife include:
- Marine mammals?
- Country foods?
- Habitat conservation?
- Others?
- Should these be included in the scope of the NAHS? If not, why?
Next Meetings
- August 31, 2007
- next teleconference
- September 18-19, 2007
- NAHS workshop in Gatineau, Quebec
Any Other Business?
NOTE TO READER:
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.
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.