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Farmed Animals Working Group

National Farmed Animal Health Strategy
(NFAHS)

October 31, 2007

Working Paper Summary Report

< SUMMARY

Table of Contents

ROLES TO BE ACHIEVED: LEADERSHIP >

THE CURRENT ANIMAL HEALTH SYSTEM

Preamble:

The intent of this working paper is to conceptually describe the fundamental elements of the farmed animal health system and its functioning, rather than to comprehensively enunciate all potential stakeholders or list all details of the functioning of individual components. The comprehensive and detailed description of the current animal health system is in preparation by the NAHS team.

The current NFAH system is comprised of a number of components which interact to varying degrees. Although there have been initiatives introduced to improve cooperation amongst these components and their players, the system is still insufficiently aligned and hence has not fully achieved its optimal effectiveness.

The system is in transition, moving away from a previous system of authoritative government ownership, but as yet with no future system adequately defined. Furthermore, there is a perceived lack of overarching leadership in the National Farmed Animal Health system.

During this transition period, the farmed animal sector has been particularly disadvantaged by not having a clear understanding of where responsibility lay, and confused as to how to advance their concerns through pathways other than political lobbying.

Despite this environment, the NFAH system strives to:

achieve a standard of animal health, with particular reference to animal disease, that is recognized internationally as outstanding,
ensure the economic sustainability and growth of the farmed animal industries,
contribute to the protection of the public from zoonotic disease,
ensure the responsible care of farmed animals taking into consideration international standards,
ensure an adequate supply of food of competitive quality and in a cost efficient manner to Canadians.

A possible “Value Proposition” for a future Farmed Animal Health system is:

“through a strategic, active, yet nimble public/government/industry partnership, the National Farmed Animal Health system uniquely excels at enabling the raising of animals in an effective, environmentally responsible, and socially acceptable manner, for the generation of safe and healthful food, products, and services”.

Components

There are a large number of components and players that contribute to Canada’s farmed animal health system. Without attempting to be comprehensive, the main components are:

Components	Role
Private livestock producers Livestock handlers Private veterinarians Abattoirs	Disease detection Disease prevention and treatment Animal care
provincial/territorial governments Canadian Food Inspection Agency Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada	Legislation/regulation Policy development Enforcement Funding Surveillance Disease management Import/export Economic sustainability
universities and colleges private, provincial, federal laboratories	Diagnosis/research/training Disease detection Surveillance
pharmaceutical and biologics companies	Disease prevention Disease treatment
Public Health Agency of Canada Health Canada municipal health units provincial health units	Zoonotic disease Policy, Detection Diagnosis Management
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association provincial veterinary medical associations	Advisory
council of Chief Veterinary Officers Canadian Animal Health Coalition livestock associations	Advisory
agri-food processors	Economic sustainability Advisory
National Farmed Animal Care Council Humane Societies	Advisory on animal care
Canadian Livestock Identification Agency	Animal identification and traceability
Animal feed companies Renderers provincial wildlife departments Ministry of Natural Resources	Disease transmission
Environment Canada provincial environment departments municipal governments CFIA	Carcass disposal Environmental impact

Roles to be achieved:

The major roles for a National Farmed Animal Health system include:

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.