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Canada Releases On-Farm Safety Video

By Dan Flynn and Suzanna Schreck

The best on-farm practices for producers to protect livestock and poultry from disease are the subject of a new online video from the Government of Canada.

"Producers have a long-standing and successful history of using preventive measures as a means of keeping animals healthy and the agriculture industry strong," said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. "This online video will remind producers that farm-level biosecurity is the best investment they can make to maintain the health of their animals and their business."

This video is part of "Animal Health Starts on the Farm," an awareness campaign that encourages producers across Canada to revisit their disease control plans, observe their animals for signs of illness, and regularly consult with veterinarians on the health of their animals.

"Canada has one of the top animal health systems in the world, due in large part to the commitment and efforts of producers on the farm and their veterinary practitioners," said Dr. Brian Evans, Chief Veterinary Officer of Canada, and Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). "With a vision to maintain this reputation, we think it is important to be vigilant and to re-emphasize that many simple disease-limiting practices are inexpensive and easy to undertake."

In addition to the awareness campaign, CFIA has developed national biosecurity standards, protocols, and strategies for livestock, poultry, and aquaculture production. These initiatives were created in collaboration with producer organizations, provincial/territorial governments, and academia.

The launch of the video coincided with Saturday's World Veterinary Day recognition. The World Veterinary Association and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) created World Veterinary Day to celebrate the veterinary profession and its successes.

Canada's online biosecurity video can be viewed by anyone, and there is more information on animal biosecurity available.  To order DVD copies of the video "Animal Health Starts on the Farm: Basic principles for protecting animal health on Canada's farms", please call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342.

Full post as published by Food Safety News on April 26, 2010 (boomark / email).