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Animal Health Act & Regulations
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This legislation puts in place much of the necessary infrastructure and traceability systems to respond quickly if there are threats of disease outbreaks or other emergencies that could affect animal health, public health, or food safety. Alberta’s Chief Provincial Veterinarian (CPV) has a lead role in animal disease response.
The act puts the onus on the owner of an animal or authorized person to advise the CPV of suspected or confirmed reportable or notifiable diseases within 24 hours. “Reportable diseases” refers to diseases that could threaten animal or public health, food safety, or the economic interests of the animal industry. They require a response to control or eradicate. “Notifiable diseases” do not require control actions but are important to monitor for changes or unusual trends. The diseases are prescribed in the Reportable and Notifiable Diseases Regulation.
A variety of strategies and tools are designed to prevent and control the spread of disease, including conducting inspections and surveillance, ordering treatments, implementing biosecurity measures, and establishing quarantines, surveillance zones and control areas. If necessary, the CPV may order the destruction of animals, animal products or by-products, or property that has been contaminated through contact with a diseased animal or a disease-causing agent. Dead animals may also be exhumed and examined if suspected to have died from a reportable disease.
The act also facilitates the licensing of retail outlets that sell production animal medicines, livestock markets and livestock assembling stations.
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