The Canadian Food Inspection Agency(CFIA)and the Canadian Cattlemen's Association(CCA)have released a national biosecurity standard to strengthen Canada's beef sector.
The standard provides on-farm practices designed to minimize the introduction and control the spread of endemic,emerging,and foreign infectious diseases in the Canadian herd.
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said that Canadian beef producers understand that quality products come from healthy stock.
"Employing practices that contribute to the health of the industry and the animals on farm makes good sense,"Ritz added.
CCA president Martin Unrau said this standard will provide the industry with a valuable tool to reduce the risk of disease entering cattle operations.
The standard is a tool that producers can use to measure their biosecurity practices on farm.
It aims at managing and minimizing the risks associated with animal movement;managing the movement of people,vehicles,equipment and tools;managing animal health practices;and fostering employee knowledge and training on biosecurity practices and principles.
The standard was developed over two years,in consultation with producers,industry associations,academia,and provincial governments through funding provided by the Growing Forward policy initiative of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
