Farm-Scape, Episode 2152

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is calling for public input as it explores possible changes to regulations governing the transportation of animals in Canada.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is considering several changes in 2006 to health of animals regulations under the Health of Animals Act.

In December CFIA made public a document which outlines the need for change and the types of change being considered.

A working draft has been created and stakeholders are being invited to comment on both the existing regulations and on areas being considered for modification.

CFIA senior staff veterinarian Dr. Gord Doonan says the focus is section 12 which refers to the transportation of animals.

"It covers the transportation of any species of animal anywhere in Canada or into Canada or out of Canada and this is by any mode of transport, air land or water.

The reason that we're considering changing it is that there's a need to reflect new practices, new expectations and new information, especially new information arising from science and from the types of transport practices that have evolved over the last 30 years.

The second reason is the need for clarification by providing definitions, reducing vague terminology and using accepted standards that are widely recognized to help to make the expectations more clear. Thirdly, to facilitate consistent enforcement across Canada."

Dr. Doonan notes public consultations would normally begin after publication of the draft regulations in Canada Gassette-1 but, because of the complexity of the changes, stakeholders are being involved much earlier in the process.

He says stakeholders will have an influence on whether there will even be amendments and, if changes are made, they'll have a larger influence on those changes.

For Farmscape.Ca, I'm Bruce Cochrane.