Announcing New Animal Health Regulations

CANADA - Effective 1 January 2013, new reporting and compensation regulations under the Animal Health Act will help OMAFRA detect and respond to animal health events in a timely manner.
calendar icon 10 April 2013
clock icon 3 minute read

The new reporting regulation requires that animal health laboratories and veterinarians report certain animal health hazards to the Ministry of Agriculture, and Food and Ministry of Rural Affairs (OMAF and MRA) immediately and annually.

These reports help to identify risks and assess the level of response required.

They also help to identify new and emerging trends and assess the need for preventative programs.

Veterinarians are required to report situations of very serious risk (as well as positive results of immediately notifiable hazards from samples that they sent to out-of-province laboratories).

The second regulation allows compensation to be paid to owners who have incurred costs or losses as a result of actions taken under the Act. For example, compensation could be paid to owners for the value of animals that are destroyed or injured as a result of actions taken under the Act.

Compensation could also be paid for cleaning, disinfection, destruction or disposal costs. The compensation regulation clarifies details around eligibility for payment.

It sets out limits for payment amounts as well as considerations that could result in reduction or refusal of a payment. For example, compensation will not be paid by OMAF and MRA for costs or losses incurred as a result of actions taken under other legislation.

There are no provincial reporting requirements for animal owners. Animal owners should call their local private veterinarian when their animal is sick and the veterinarian and laboratory will determine if reporting is required.

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