Canadian Wildlife Directors Committee

Record of Discussion
Meeting of Members of CWDC NAHS Working Group

July 31, 2007 (12:30 – 1:30pm Ottawa-time)

Participants:

Ron Bjorge, Alberta
Helen Schwantje (British Columbia)
Susan Fleck,NWT
John Dungavell (Ontario) (written comments only)

Debbie Harris (CWDC Secretariat)
Arnold Boer (CWDC Coordinator)

Ken Harris (Environment Canada)
Beth MacNeil (National Animal Health Strategy Team)
Manjit Kerr-Upal (National Animal Health Strategy Team)

Materials for Discussion/Information:

1. Presentation – “National Animal Health Strategy – CWDC July 31, 2007”
2. Wildlife Value Cycle

Record of Discussion:

Agenda (in bold)

Administrative Housekeeping

• June 18th, 2007 Record of Discussion was approved.
• CWDC Working Group agreed to have the final version of the Record of Discussion to be posted on the NAHS website (www.healthyanimals.ca).
  • The healthyanimals.ca website is expected to be functioning by August 31, 2007.

NAHS Objectives

• NAHS Objectives should be measurable in order to allow partners to report on progress.
• Objective #1 (to continue to improve the quality of life for animals) should be dropped as it is more of a vision-like statement and not quantifiable.
• Objective # 7 (to protect ecosystem health through prudent animal health practices) should be listed first.

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.

• Include the following caveat with the above wildlife definition.
  • “This definition does not reflect the legal mandate of any jurisdiction. It is simply a method of defining wildlife in its broadest form.”
• Of particular concern to CWDC-WG were feral animals (feral horses, bison, cattle, reindeer, swine, cats, etc).
  • There are ongoing animal and ecosystem health issues associated within feral animals and their interaction with established wild populations.
  • Feral farmed animals and feral companion animals can represent a high risk of disease transmission to wildlife populations.
  • At present, no agency is accepting responsibility for feral animals.
• In terms of wild species of concern, the NWDS focused on terrestrial species.
  • CWDC members believe marine mammals should be included within the scope of the NAHS, particularly if they are not yet captured within the scope of the National Aquatic Animal Program.

Decision The proposed definition of wildlife is acceptable if the following caveat re: jurisdictional responsibility as defined in provincial/territorial legislation is included: “If there is a discrepancy between this definition of wildlife and the definition found in federal/provincial/territorial legislation / regulations, the latter takes precedent at all times.” This definition may need to be adapted as clarity of the Strategy and its key elements and objectives are refined.

Decision The proposed species of predominant concern are: fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, marine and terrestrial mammals. The Strategy will need to be flexible enough in scope to address unforeseen animal health issues of invertebrate species that may play a significant ecological or economic role will need to be.

Definition of 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 of Wildlife Health:

• The capacity of a wild population to adapt to, respond to, or control environmental challenges and changes. (Marc Cattet, CCWHC)

• When defining health, one generally refers to the state of an animal/population not a population’s ability to adapt or respond to changes which is not readily measurable.
• General preference for the general definition of animal health (over wildlife health definition) as it includes reference to animal populations.
• Consensus that healthy wildlife populations require healthy habitats. Plants or habitat should not be included in the definition of wildlife or wildlife health as it is implicit.

Decision Proposed definition of animal health is generally acceptable for wildlife. This definition may need to be adapted depending on the context of the NAHS as it is further developed.

Definition of 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)
• Animal welfare issues are potentially very contentious issues. Need to be cautious to ensure a productive policy discussion vs venting of frustrations/perspectives.
• Consensus that if humans are interacting with wildlife, guidelines should be in place
• Animal welfare will be one of the major discussion items of the next teleconference call to take place August 31

Action: NAHS will distribute the CCAC Guidelines on: the Care and Use of Wildlife (2003) as background material for the next teleconference.

• This document was not signed off by Ministers, but is a tool that is widely used. It has no legislative power. Agencies may choose to align themselves with it.

Action: NAHS will analyze how welfare issues, particularly those related to wildlife, are handled in the animal health strategies of other countries (i.e. UK, Ireland, Australia). NAHS to distribute findings to CWDC-WG before next teleconference.

Documenting wildlife values: social, cultural, ecological and economical

• CWDC has recently supported the update of the “Importance of Wildlife to Canadians” survey.

Action: CWDC – NAHS WG members were asked to forward any provincial documentation on these values to Manjit Kerr-Upal, National Animal Health Strategy Team. Any reports documenting the interactions of wildlife with animal health and public health would be appreciated.

How should CCWHC and provincial wildlife health specialists be engaged in the NAHS?

• With CWDC members in the CWDC-NAHS working group?

• CCWHC and wildlife health specialists should be invited to participate in calls that require scientific, technical and analytic expertise.
• CWDC NAHS WG members (and their alternates) represent the jurisdiction’s policy experts.
• Invitations may be extended to CCWHC and wildlife health specialists to join the CWDC NAHS WG, when the agenda items require scientific, technical or analytical expertise or at the request of CWDC NAHS WG.

Who are the key NGOs to engage from a NAHS-wildlife perspective?

• No comment (out of time).

• All suggestions are welcome. Please contact Manjit Kerr-Upal (kerrupalm@inspection.gc.ca) at the National Animal Health Strategy with any ideas.

Action: CWDC NAHS working group members to identify non-government wildlife-related organizations they view as key groups for the NAHS Team to engage in developing the Strategy.

Proposed Next Steps:

• The proposed October 31, 2007 meeting with CCVOs and CMOHs is cancelled.
• CCVOs would like to meet with CWDC members in the Fall 2007 at a time of convenience to all.
  • CCVOs suggested adding a half day to the existing CWDC meeting in Ottawa in October (22-23).
• CWDC NAHS WG requested clarification on the relation between the basic “building blocks” of the NAHS with respect to wildlife. Specifically, more information on the National Aquatic Animal Health Program.

Action: Johanne Beaulieu, Director, National Animal Health Strategy will officially request a meeting with CWDC behalf of the CCVOs, to Michelle Brenning.

Next teleconference

Friday, August 31st, 12:30pm – 1:30pm (Ottawa time)