Ottawa, June 10, 2005 -- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is conducting a review of the animals listed in the Compensation for Destroyed Animals Regulations under the Health of Animals Act and the maximum amount set out for each. The Agency will be initiating consultations with stakeholders and other interested parties this month. The review will be conducted in three stages. In stage one, the CFIA will work with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Canadian Animal Health Consultative Committee (CAHCC)1 in conducting a review of the animals listed in the regulations; determining whether sub-categorization within species is warranted; collecting and analyzing market price data; and calculating an appropriate maximum amount for each animal category. In stage two, a proposed schedule of animals and maximum amounts will be made available on the CFIA website to all interested parties for review and comment. At that time, a public notice will be issued to inform interested parties of the availability of the proposed schedule and how they may participate in the consultation. In stage three, the proposed schedule will be adjusted in consideration of comments received and then published in the Canada Gazette Part I for final comments. These comments will be reviewed and, where appropriate, reflected in the regulations which will then be published in final form in the Canada Gazette Part II. This initiative follows through on a commitment made by the Government of Canada in its Lessons Learned report prepared as part of the follow-up to the 2004 Avian Influenza (AI) outbreak in British Columbia. The commitment was reaffirmed in the governments response to the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food in its April 21, 2005 report on the management of the AI outbreak. The regulatory changes which will result from this review will support the objectives of the National Animal Health Program as it relates to compensation for animals ordered destroyed, specifically: encouraging the early reporting of disease by animal owners, thereby facilitating disease control; encouraging owner cooperation and participation during control/eradication efforts to prevent or reduce the spread of disease; and to help owners in rebuilding their herds or flocks. As authorized under the Health of Animals Act, the proposed regulations are limited to awarding compensation for the market value of animals destroyed and for specified costs of disposal. Some industry sectors had requested consideration be given to compensating for other financial losses such as loss of marketable product and business disruption due to disease incidence. However, the authority under the Health of Animals Act does not allow compensation for such losses. It is planned that the consultation with stakeholders and publication of the final regulations will be completed in 2005. 1 With a membership of industry, government, research and academic representatives, the CAHCC provides a forum for communication, consultation and co-ordination between the CFIA, its provincial partners and regulated animal industries in the review, development and implementation of animal health policies and programs with the goal of promoting the long-term sustainability of Canada's animal industries. -30- Compensation for Destroyed Animals For information: Canadian Food Inspection Agency Media relations: (613) 228-6682 For information and updates on the Review of Compensation Maximum Amounts, write to: revmaxima@inspection.gc.ca.
