Canadian Animal Health Coalition

	September 08, 2010

National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Strategy

August 2009 - Update

NFAHWS Update excerpted from a stakeholder letter on August 4, 2009 from the FPT Regulatory ADM Committee ….

“This letter is a request to provide a representative to participate in an important steering committee that will continue the progression of the draft proposed National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Strategy (NFAHWS). As you may be aware, this strategy has been discussed at the FPT Deputy Ministers’ table, and has been referenced by the FPT Ministers’ table as well. The FPT Deputies’ committee has tasked us with bringing forward a more detailed strategy for further consideration, and I am requesting your assistance in addressing their request in a timely fashion.

Work of the steering committee

The steering committee is asked to provide the following deliverables:

Analysis of a range of advisory body options including the proposed farmed animal advisory health council.
Recommendation for the NFAHWS advisory body.
Funding options for implementation of the NFAHWS.
Options for providing secretariat services to for the advisory body of the NFAHWS.
Broad criteria for setting farmed animal health and welfare priorities (optional).

Membership of the steering committee

One representative from the Canadian Veterinary Medicine Association (preferably a veterinarian with significant practical field experience in the farmed animal health sector)
Four representatives from the farmed animal industry (recommended by the Canadian Animal Health Council, and recommended to include those sectors not currently members of the Coalition).
Government representatives from the Canadian Council of Chief Veterinary Officers, the FPT Regulatory ADMs, the FPT Policy ADMs, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Public Health Association of Canada or Chief Medical Officers of Health, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Background

As you may know, this strategy promises to provide a framework for Canadian animal health and welfare initiatives over the next several years, addressing these crucial outcomes:

Improve capacity to avoid threats and anticipate opportunities
Improve capacity to respond to threats and create opportunities
Improve public confidence in Canada’s farmed animal health system
Improve industry viability
Improve capacity to protect public health
Improve farmed animal care and welfare
Improve capacity to protect ecosystem health

Project timelines

This project will commence with a teleconference on August 17, 2009.

This project will close on November 1, 2009.”

Industry representatives have been selected and the CAHC will facilitate regular stakeholder updates with these representatives. In addition, a representative of NFACC has been added to the steering committee.

Previous project information:

The Council of Chief Veterinary Officers of Canada have been charged with developing a National Farmed Animal Health Strategy in partnership with the Canadian farmed animal industry. The project document is now complete.

Documents available:

National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Strategy

Stakeholder Input Summary