I think CFIA acknowledges the potential risks to animals and animal health and welfare, and in fact also the mental stress that trespassing poses to producers and their staff and families. Yes, trespassing is not something that we want to happen, and for a number of reasons. However, in light of considering this particular bill, we contemplate that we need to think about the fact that there are existing legal instruments that are already there to deal with the activity at both the federal and provincial levels.
CFIA staff have neither the legal authority nor the training to perform as peace officers, which would be required with this bill. Nor is the CFIA structured, in fact, in a manner that would allow for the timely response to trespassing incidents.