For release: August 31, 2004
Ontario Livestock and People are Better Protected Against
Foreign
Animal Disease with New Plan
Increased Co-ordination Means Better Security
TORONTO - The Ontario and federal governments have signed off on
an emergency response plan against foreign animal disease that will better
safeguard the health of the province's livestock and citizens, Minister
of Agriculture and Food Steve Peters said today.
"Justice Haines specifically recommended that we enter into an agreement
with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to ensure better coordination
on preventing and managing outbreaks of animal diseases like BSE and Avian
Influenza -- that's what this plan does," Peters said. "I am
confident that the tremendous amount of hard work that has gone into developing
this plan will pay off by helping us be better prepared should Ontario
face an outbreak of a foreign animal disease."
The Canada-Ontario Foreign Animal Disease Emergency Response Plan will
enhance the federal agency's ability to control animal disease outbreaks
by tapping into the provincial emergency management system, and the expertise
of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
The plan sets out the roles and responsibilities of the signatories in
monitoring for, controlling and eradicating any potential outbreak.
"I want to thank federal minister Andy Mitchell and emergency management
commissioner Dr. Jim Young for their efforts in making this happen,"
Peters said. "Farmers, and all of our citizens will benefit with
all of us working together to keep Ontario healthy by effectively controlling
and eradicating animal disease."
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Contact:
Mary Devorski
Minister Peters' office
(416) 326-3077
(416) 606-8303 (Mobile)
