Canada Implements National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Council
National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Council
News Release
12 Nov 2010 ... Farmed animal industry groups, provincial governments and the Government of Canada are working together to implement the National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Strategy (NFAHWS) through the formation of the National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare (NFAHW) Council. The NFAHW Council will provide ongoing advice to governments and industry on the implementation of the strategy which provides a comprehensive framework for enhancing Canada’s farmed animal health and welfare system.
The Council includes members from animal industry groups, academia, and federal and provincial governments, and is supported jointly by federal, provincial and nongovernment partners. While reporting to the FPT Regulatory ADMs, the Council is accountable to all partners.
The inaugural meeting of the NFAHW Council was held on October 28-29, 2010 in Guelph, Ontario. Co-chairs Rob McNabb and Wayne Lees were selected at this meeting.
“Over the past century, Canada has earned and enjoyed an enviable reputation for its animal health programs and the health status of its farmed animal sectors,” said Rob McNabb, Co-Chair. “Governments, livestock industry groups, and the animal health community must continue to work together to protect animal health and welfare, and maintain this reputation.”
In recent years, environmental concerns, the increasing globalization of trade, and emerging zoonotic diseases such as avian influenza have tested current farmed animal health systems in Canada. The NFAHW Council facilitates industry-government collaboration and aligns animal health activities to help meet current and future challenges.
Members of the inaugural NFAHW Council are:
- Dr. Ian Alexander, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- Dr. Pauline Duivenvoorden, Dairy Farmers of Canada
- Dr. Rainer Engelhardt, Public Health Agency of Canada
- Dr. David Fraser, UBC Animal Welfare Program
- Dr. Gerald Hauer, Alberta Agriculture & Rural Development
- Dr. Wayne Lees, Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Initiatives
- Mr. John Maaskant, Chicken Farmers of Canada
- Ms. Jennifer MacTavish, Canadian Sheep Federation
- Dr. Michel Major, Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec
- Mr. Rob McNabb, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association
- Mr. Florian Possberg, Canadian Pork Council
- Mr. John Ross, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
- Dr. Norm Willis, Norm Willis Group
The Canadian Animal Health Coalition has been contracted to provide Secretariat services for the NFAHW Council, for a term of three years. Communications to the Council should be directed through the Canadian Animal Health Coalition at the address below.
For information:
National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Council
c/o Canadian Animal Health Coalition
660 Speedvale Avenue West, Suite 205
Guelph, Ontario N1K 1E5
info@animalhealth.ca
