Farm trespassing bill re-introduced in Parliament

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A private member’s bill aimed at reducing the risks of biosecurity breaches and trespassing on farms was re-introduced in the House of Commons on May 30.

Bill C-275 was brought forward by Foothills MP and Conservative shadow minister for agriculture, John Barlow.

Like Barlow’s previous Bill C-205, the new bill would amend the Health of Animals Act to “make it an offence to enter, without lawful authority or excuse, a place in which animals are kept if doing so could result in the exposure of the animals to a disease or toxic substance…”

“This is very fitting with what we have seen across Canada with the spread of avian influenza, the possibility of diseases like African swine fever, and what we have gone through it in my riding with BSE,” noted Barlow, speaking to the bill at first reading. “These show us how important it is to protect biosecurity on our farms and ensure that those who may endanger our farms and our farm families are held accountable for those actions, which is why I am tabling this amendment to the Health of Animals Act.”

The earlier version of the bill — C-205 — was approved by Conservative, NDP and Bloc MPs at second reading, but died at the committee stage when the federal election was called in the summer of 2021.

Backstory:

Farm trespassing bill passes second reading in House of Commons

Hog, poultry groups welcome proposed animal health legislation

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