Working together to strengthen plant and animal health

Representatives from all 10 provinces and over 50 industry associations are participating in the National Plant and Animal Health Planning Forum. Image: A&W Canada

OTTAWA - The National Plant and Animal Health Planning Forum opened in Ottawa. The Forum is hosting representatives from across federal and provincial governments, industry and academia, to identify and discuss the actions needed to strengthen the protection of plant and animal health in Canada.

Also read, The CFIA is now accepting public opinions on the changes to the Health of Animals Regulations act.

"This forum presents a unique opportunity to identify and discuss the actions that we need to take together to develop a national plant and animal health strategy. We need to work together, build on our successes, learn from our challenges and take a greater proactive, integrated and preventive approach to protecting Canadian agriculture," said Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

The objective of the Forum is to build a national strategy for plant and animal health which will be built on a vision shared by all participating partners. It will focus on strengthening Canada's agriculture sector through innovation, collaboration, and risk prevention.

"A national integrated plant and animal health strategy developed with industry leadership, and in full collaboration with provincial and federal governments, is a significant step forward not only for stakeholders, but for Canadians and their communities, increasing their trust in Canadian agriculture," said Phil Boyd, Executive Director, Turkey Farmers of Canada.

A draft strategy will be available in the new year for public consultation. Learn more about the Plant and Animal Health Strategy, and share your ideas on strengthening plant and animal health today.

Quick facts

• Agriculture is worth $100 billion to the Canadian economy.
• Representatives from all 10 provinces and over 50 industry associations are participating in the National Plant and Animal Health Planning Forum.
• Federal, provincial and territorial agriculture ministers endorsed the development of a national strategy for plant and animal health in summer 2016 and will receive the draft strategy at their annual meeting in July 2017.

SOURCE Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)