That's a good question.
In previous years we had significant disease outbreaks once a decade. Now they are coming more and more frequently—whether it's PED or BSE. I was very involved in BSE in the early 2000s, H1N1, avian influenza, a whole host of them. Ebola was a threat to us a few years ago, and SARS. Animal health in Canada is a constant threat. At the federal level it is really, in my mind, hard to fathom where it sits. Right now CFIA reports to Health Canada, and animal health seems to be orphaned there since they aren't reporting as directly to Ag Canada.
I know they're working on a strategy. It's an interesting document. It says what we've already known for many years, but operationally the CFIA seems to be absent in responding to these clear and present dangers around the world. I think it is time. The PED situation in Manitoba really highlights the fact that there needs to be a constant federal presence. I'm not saying they have to be the primary leader, but their role has has to be collaborative with all levels of government. Municipalities have a role in disposal. The industry has a strong role to play, but the federal government needs to re-engage on animal health, and this particular situation is just one of a list of situations that we're seeing.
Right now we're seeing a renewed outbreak of rabies in southwestern Ontario, and that used to be a federal disease. The federal government was there front and centre, and they are taking a backseat now to provincial authorities, which is sad because that particular disease does affect human health. PED does not, but it still will have a strong effect on the communities that are affected by it, and in Manitoba for sure right now.