Developing an Animal Health Science Agenda
for the National Animal Health Strategy (NAHS)

Backgrounder

February 15th, 2008

Prepared by TDV Global Inc.

3.0 Strategic Direction

An analysis of these themes and principles has resulted in a proposed strategic direction for animal health science that includes a Vision and supporting Goals.

This strategic direction is the starting point for operational and implementation planning to prepare for future animal health science. This planning activity will commence in 2008 and will be supportive of the NAHS development.

The Vision and Goals for animal health science that will be realized through the development and achievement of Objectives and development and implementation of Action plans across national and regional animal health science communities.

3.1 Vision

A Vision for future animal health science is proposed, as follows:

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3.2 Goals

To achieve this Vision for future animal health science in Canada, the following Goals are recommended. These goals are intend to foster the development a robust animal health science system that is integrated, innovative and relevant to the challenges facing animal health, nationally and internationally.

1. Systems are Integrated – There is great value to integrating animal health science outputs, including research data and emerging intelligence, with health management systems. This will be a considerable challenge as it will require the engagement of governments, academia and industry stakeholders, operating both nationally and internationally.
2. Animal and Public Health Interface is Improved – Infectious diseases will continue to be transmitted between wild and domesticated animal species and humans, with potentially devastating consequences. Sustainable and strategic linkages must be developed between the animal and public health science communities. Natural ecosystems and their interaction with humans will continue to be major sources of wildlife diseases that may threaten animal and human health. Monitoring of wildlife health will require improvement.
3. Innovative Technology is Adopted – Advances in diagnostic and sensing technologies – such as genomics-based diagnostics, smart swabs or high-throughput screening – are expected to be required. Animal health science must be positioned to take advantage of these advances in support of real-time, field testing, distinguishing vaccinated / non-vaccinated animals, support of emergency management, conduct of surveillance, determination of disease-free status of animals, etc. Organizations responsible for animal health science planning will need to set investment priorities to support rapid advances in areas that offer new potential applications, such as in information technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology, genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, human/machine interfaces, genomics, proteomics, and nanotechnology, etc.
4. Broad Traceability Systems are Implemented – Advances in science and technology will enable the implementation of traceability systems that identify and monitor elements affecting animal and human health (e.g., food elements and sources, diseases, toxins, genes, etc). Such systems will support public confidence and the desire on the part of consumers to better understand their own health and diets.
5. Science Expertise is Accessible – The breadth of future issues relevant to animal health science will require rapid access to a broad range of skill sets. Access to an integrated animal health science network, which includes international exchanges of knowledge and expertise, will allow for the effective contribution of experts from multiple disciplines. Efforts must be taken to recruit and retain highly these skilled personnel.
6. Sustainability is Supported – During the next 20 years, environmental degradation will continue due to pollution, intensification of production, pressures on wildlife habitat and invasions of alien species. Animal health science will be an important contributor to improving the efficiency of water and energy use and reducing negative environmental impacts. Economic, social, environmental and health sustainability will be important considerations for animal health science.
7. Support for Decision Making is Improved – Decisions, policy advice and design of intervention strategies pertaining to animal health will be more effective through the application of science, including data analysis and mathematical modelling, to measure and monitor the health and welfare of animals and people.

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3.3 Objectives and Actions

In January 2008, the Working Group on Future Animal Health Science Workshop performed a back-casting exercise to identify tangible indicators of success in achieving previously identified Goals. Participants were asked to identify both short and long-term indicators of the realization of Goals for use in determining the potential Objectives that will be required in achieving the Vision for future animal health science in Canada. This analysis led to the development of proposed Objectives and associated Actions required to achieving long term Goals in a step-wise manner over the next 5, 10, 15 and 20 years.

Taken together, the Vision, Goals, Objectives and Action Plans will comprise the Animal Health Science Agenda (Figure 1). It is proposed that Action plans will be built around Science Capabilities with focus on roles of regional partners.

Figure 1. A Proposed Framework for an Animal Health Science Agenda (Feb. 15, 2008) [D]