Rabbit Advocacy Animal Matters

News – List of animal diseases that must be reported by B.C. farmers jumps from nine to 100

April 3, 2014 Glenda Luymes, Farmgate|Vancouver Province

B.C.’s Animal Health Act has had a rough ride in recent years. The act was last substantially revised in 1948, and when the government tried to update it in 2012, critics were quick to point out that it seemed to make talking about animal-related diseases or outbreaks a crime. The backlash caused a re-think by government officials, and almost two years later, we’re hearing about the bill again.

The revised Animal Health Act was introduced in the legislature last week. Debate will follow before it goes to a vote.

In a nutshell, the updated bill will bring B.C. in line with other Canadian provinces, addressing the reality of increasing global travel and trade (and the resulting spread of disease), while increasing the number of “reportable and notifiable diseases” from nine to 100.

It also clarifies there will be no restriction on the general public, including media, from reporting the presence of diseases. Nonetheless, in order to encourage reporting of unusual symptoms by farmers, their personal information will be protected when submitting samples to government labs for testing.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the revised act:

• Increases the number of reportable and notifiable diseases from nine to about 100, many of which were not known when the act was last substantially revised in 1948. It will now include diseases like rabies and foot and mouth disease, as well as syndromes, infestations and environmental toxins such as lead or dioxins.
• Improve the early detection of animal diseases through expanded monitoring and surveillance programs.
• Require producers to take preventive measures to reduce the risk of introducing and spreading disease; ensure employees are trained to prevent and respond to disease; maintain records of animal origin; abide by inspector’s orders and report any incidents of disease or unusual illness.
• Increase disease control measures such as restricting the movement or sale of affected animals, animal products (such as milk or eggs) or animal by-products such as wool or hides.
• Increase the maximum penalty under the act from $2,000 to $75,000 and create an administrative penalty system for less serious contraventions.

More info: Reportable and Notifiable Diseases

Swine flu by any other name is still swine flu; Hallmark; confinement & disease; avian flu on Fraser Valley farms; world markets enact trade bans; flu spreads to WA; OR; across Midwest; Ontario; 2018 African Swine Fever spreading uncontrollably in China & Vietnam

Canadian Coalition for Farm Animals Promoting the welfare of farm animals and the banning of sow stalls and battery cages in Canada.

“A universe is, indeed, to be pitied whose dominating inhabitants are so unconscious and so ethically embryonic that they make life a commodity, mercy a disease, and systematic massacre a pastime and a profession.”  Professor J. Howard Moore, 1862-1916 Better World Philosophy