Animal Health Canada (AHC) will be receiving just over $13.3 million over the next five years from the federal government.
The funding was announced by Francis Drouin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, at the 2024 Animal Health Canada Forum in Ottawa on Tuesday.
The funds will be used by AHC to deliver three projects or initiatives aimed at improving animal health across the country:
- $3,534,174 to expand animal health surveillance networks and shift the Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System to a One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health. AHC will continue to work on minimizing the economic, health, and welfare impacts of disease outbreaks in livestock by improving disease surveillance and information sharing.
- Up to $5,000,000 to work on improving emergency management practices. This project will include developing comprehensive emergency plans, training industry and producers across Canada, conducting educational workshops, and testing industry preparedness.
- Up to $4,809,235 for the National Farm Animal Care Council to update, amend, and review several Codes of Practice, which are nationally-developed guidelines for the care and handling of animals.
“This funding strengthens our ability to work with our members and partners to enhance foreign animal disease planning and preparedness, promote sustainable approaches for animal welfare, and improve our disease surveillance capabilities,” noted Colleen McElwain, executive director of Animal Health Canada. “Through collaboration and innovation, we are building a more resilient and responsive industry that can meet both current and future challenges.”
Animal Health Canada operates with three divisions: the Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System (CAHSS), the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC), and Emergency Management.
