Agriculture Committee on June 5th, 2023

[Dr. Leigh Rosengren, Chief Veterinary Officer, Canadian Cattle Association]

We have two concerns. One of the main concerns with the humane transportation regulations is the shortened duration that livestock can be transported. The concern is that there's no scientific evidence that it improves the welfare of the cattle to have this shortened duration. It sounds good in theory, but we can't scientifically show any evidence that it's improving it.

Unfortunately, what we can show is that the rest stops.... We have cattle commingling that otherwise wouldn't have contact with each other, which is creating a theoretical risk and a real biosecurity risk. The theoretical risk would arise with an emergency like a foot-and-mouth disease. We'd have more animals in contact with each other. The real risk is that we actually can show an increase in endemic pathogens in those animals that have been through the commingled sites.

That's our primary concern with the humane transport regulations. I can speak about the ELDs if there's time.

[Warren Steinley, Conservative, Regina—Lewvan, SK]

I have one quick question when it comes to FMD, Leigh. Don't worry; I didn't forget about you. I was getting there.

You mentioned upcoming traceability regulations. Could you elaborate on how you expect they could affect Canada's FMD preparedness?

[Dr. Leigh Rosengren]

Certainly.

The beef industry is strongly supportive of the concept of increased traceability. It's an important pillar in our prevention, along with surveillance and biosecurity for preparing for foreign animal disease.

We have concerns about the feasibility of implementation in the field right now with the available technology. We also have some substantial concerns with regard to the relative cost benefit for what it's going to cost to implement these regulations. Overall, we're supportive of the approach, and we're appreciative of the CFIA's sticking with the cattle implementation plan, which is an industry-designed plan.

Thank you.

[Warren Steinley, Conservative, Regina—Lewvan, SK]

I have one more quick question for you, because I have to keep it tight: If the provinces are a little slower on the uptake for the vaccine bank, do you have confirmation from the minister and CFIA that they will go ahead with that vaccine bank with or without the provinces?

[Dr. Leigh Rosengren]

I think we have confidence that an aspect of the vaccine bank will go ahead. We're always looking for provincial engagement, but there's lots of room in different aspects of emergency preparedness for that to happen.

[The Chair, Liberal, Kody Blois]

Thank you very much, Dr. Rosengren and Mr. Steinley.

We'll now turn to Ms. Taylor Roy.

[Leah Taylor Roy, Liberal, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to all the witnesses for being here this evening. I'll be sharing my time with Ms. Valdez, who's joining us virtually.

I'd like to start with my questions with Mr. Lawson.

One question I'm curious about is the increasing occurrence of zoonotic diseases and any correlation that you see with extreme climate events. There's been a lot of talk about that. On your website you advocate for all medical professionals to work together in the spirit of “one health” for people and animals. Could you elaborate a bit on this? Do you have any thoughts around how that is intersecting and how it might affect biosecurity preparedness?

[Dr. Trevor Lawson]

That's a great question. As we know, as an impact of climate change, weather patterns are different now from what they were even in the recent past. One thing we're noticing in many jurisdictions is that storms are larger and cover larger swaths. As such, they can move endemic diseases much more easily.

We should all be aware, obviously, coming out of a pandemic, of the reality that diseases do not know borders. We're certainly seeing an impact here in Canada with avian influenza. It's something that no longer has a seasonal reality to it, or at least not in the last few years. That is consistent with what we're seeing in North America and Europe.

I think there is a connection there, and veterinarians are very much determined to be part of the solution. A number of veterinary colleges have begun to develop and institute programs that are focused on one health and on a very collaborative approach with human health care professionals. We very much see that as the path going forward in the future.

[Leah Taylor Roy, Liberal, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

That's great. Thank you.

I have one more quick question before I turn it over to Ms. Valdez. You talked about the antimicrobial use guidelines. I'm wondering how the increased use of antibiotics in agriculture, especially in livestock, has affected the ability to actually fight some of the diseases you're seeing. Could you comment on that?

[Dr. Trevor Lawson]

Yes. I think that's a good question.

What we are concerned about is the loss of effectiveness with antimicrobial resistance over time. We see that phenomenon in the veterinary world as well as in the human world. We have seen in the last number of years significantly fewer options available within the Canadian landscape for essential medications to treat livestock. That's a challenge on its own. I think a few others here this evening have touched on that.

The ultimate goal with this technology and with having this app at the fingertips of veterinary care providers is that we can make the most prudent and up-to-date decisions on which antimicrobials to use for given conditions. Obviously, technology becomes of real benefit in even a very rural setting in food animal production, where the most up-to-date version of the app would be available and hopefully allow our members and veterinarians across Canada to make the best decisions possible to reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance over time.

[Leah Taylor Roy, Liberal, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

Thank you very much.

I'll pass it over to Ms. Valdez.

[The Chair, Liberal, Kody Blois]

Ms. Valdez, you have 90 seconds.

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

Thank you, Leah, and thank you, Mr. Chair.

Dr. Lawson, I'll go back to you. Congrats on your app launch, by the way.

You described microbials in your opening, and the lack of labour availability for veterinarians. What other recommendations can you provide the committee to address the veterinarian labour shortage that we have?

[Dr. Trevor Lawson]

That's a wonderful question.

The two areas that we're most focused on in the short to medium term are through the immigration pathways, to try to have employers in Canada gain access to appropriately qualified international candidates. We've been working with the federal refugee and citizenship department to help do that.

The other thing we've been doing is that we've been advocating with our provincial partners for the provinces to increase funding to veterinary school seats. Obviously, that's not an immediate fix. That will take time, because it takes time to increase the seat count and turn out new, young and capable veterinarians to provide the service.

Those would be two of the priority pathways, but we've often likened it to this: If we don't plug the hole in the bucket, so to speak, and find ways to retain the veterinarians we currently have in practice, to have their careers be more fulfilling, and to have them stay longer in the practice of veterinary medicine, then it becomes a very challenging situation. We've also been very focused on working with some researchers at OVC in Ontario in trying to determine what best practices and best workplaces look like, to be able to offer our members better opportunity for career fulfillment and hopefully long, satisfying and valued careers.

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Kody Blois]

Thank you very much to you both.

Mr. Perron, you have the floor for five minutes.

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thanks to the witnesses for being with us this evening.

I will try to be brief.

Mr. Bowman, earlier you said you were pleased with the announcement made in the 2023 budget that a foot-and-mouth vaccine bank will be created.

Has there been any news on that subject? Announced projects often take time to materialize.

Have you received any news from the government that things are moving forward and that the tool is being put into place?

[Matt Bowman]

I will refer that question to Dr. Rosengren to clarify.

[Dr. Leigh Rosengren]

Thank you very much.

We know that the CFIA is actively working on establishing the vaccine bank and looking at the realities. I am actually involved in a working group that is looking at the logistics of the deployment of the vaccine. There are many aspects that need to be addressed before we have the vaccine bank fully established.

The other good news is that when we were in Paris last week at the WOAH meetings, they announced that they reaffirmed their vaccine-sharing arrangement with the United States, New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. Our increased bank will give us a stronger footing in that sharing arrangement. It also secures our doses in the meantime.

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Thank you very much. I apologize for interrupting, but we're running short on time.

Mr. Doyon, you said we should invest in prevention and traceability. Earlier Mr. Roy emphasized that it's important to have permanent funding outside the political cycle. That would enable industry sectors to prepare appropriately thanks to an effective and rapid traceability system.

Do you think that's a good idea? Would you recommend it too?

[Paul Doyon]

Yes, I absolutely agree with that.

What Mr. Roy said earlier is exactly what we think as well.

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

I'd like to hear your remarks on zoning and compartmentalization, which Mr. Bertinotti told us about earlier. Do you think that's a good idea in case of infection? Do you think it's realistic to negotiate that with our American partner, for example?

[Paul Doyon]

It should definitely be included in the negotiations we should have with our neighbouring countries. However, I'm certain that, for reasons this important, there would be a way to negotiate something.

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Earlier Mr. Fréchette discussed the difficulty involved in dealing with physical paperwork rather than a digital application. I imagine you agree with that.

Do you think that's a good idea? Do you have a specific recommendation for us to improve preparations for diseases?

[Paul Doyon]

I'm going to let Mr. Charron answer you in greater detail. Yes, what Mr. Fréchette said was excellent. We're living in the digital era. Having to move paper documents from place to place complicates matters and increases the risk of errors.