My Speeches

Bill 24 Animal Health Amendment Act, 2009

Posted on Apr 21, 2009

Bill 24
Animal Health Amendment Act, 2009

The Speaker: The hon. Member for Battle River-Wainwright.

Mr. Griffiths: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a pleasure for me today
to rise and move second reading of Bill 24, the Animal Health
Amendment Act, 2009.
The Animal Health Act was proclaimed in part on January 1,
2009, along with three regulations: the reportable and notifiable
diseases, the traceability premises identification, and the traceability
livestock identification. The provisions of Bill 24 will allow Alberta
to better prepare for an outbreak of a highly contagious livestock
disease and respond to emergency situations quicker and more
effectively to protect both animal and human health. Time is of the
essence when responding to animal disease outbreaks to minimize
the extent and financial impact of the outbreak.
The provisions in Bill 24 also ensure that Alberta is better able to
minimize the risk to the public caused by those animal diseases that
can spread from animals to humans. The proposed amendments to
the legislation will revise penalties to ensure that low-risk minor
offences are appropriate and not overly punitive, clarify definitions
under the act, clarify licence names to reflect the authority to sell
certain types of livestock medicines, add a provision authorizing the
destruction of animals that have consumed toxic substances, and
make minor administrative changes to facilitate more efficient and
appropriate drafting of regulations under this act.
The development of the remaining regulations is expected to be
completed by late spring of 2009. A consultation process has been
undertaken to obtain appropriate input from stakeholders that would
have concerns. All of the proposed regulations are completely
consistent with Alberta’s livestock and meat strategy. The amendments
will allow us to facilitate growth of a globally competitive,
sustainable agriculture and food industryand at the same time ensure
public and consumer confidence in food safety. I look forward to
the debate and receiving the support ofmembers for proceeding with
this bill.
Mr. Speaker, with that I would like to adjourn debate.

[Motion to adjourn debate carried]