Agriculture committee  Thank you. This “I didn't know better” excuse is being used quite frequently in the court, and many of our judges in particular are stating that “because there was potentially no harm done, we can acquit you of this mischief charge that's being presented”. I keep referencing the mink farm case just outside of Ottawa because it's recent, where that very reason was used by the judge: “Yes, the person got into the building, but no damage was caused, so therefore I am going to acquit of that charge.”

Agriculture committee  Typically, depending on what the outbreak is, of course, they may have to be destroyed. It's not only that, because when activists enter those facilities, particularly on poultry farms and also with livestock, these animals are not used to them, so they get extremely excited. They are scared.

Agriculture committee  There has been one charge laid under it. To the best of my knowledge, it has not made it through the court system yet. Has it been successful? I guess we'll see. We are in the season of activism. Typically, the warmer weather months are when activists are more prevalent, so we'll see.

Agriculture committee  Thank you, Mr. Barlow, for the question, and the answer is “absolutely”. As I mentioned in my opening remarks, I think this bill really complements current provincial legislation. It strengthens both provincial and federal legislation on protecting farms, farmers, farm families and farm employees.

Agriculture committee  Yes, I would absolutely agree. Having a national act in place as a deterrent also leads to consistency in enforcement right from coast to coast. I think that is equally important so that people understand that we can't risk the safety of our livestock and our people looking after them.

Agriculture committee  Diseases like ASF, or African swine fever, are very highly transmissible. I'll throw avian influenza in there, as well. AIA is devastating to poultry flocks, and quite often, the quarantine area is not just the farm that it occurs on, but a larger area where birds have to be destroyed.

Agriculture committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Welcome to the committee members. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture, or CFA, and its members understand the critical importance of maintaining a safe and reliable food supply and protecting the safety of those who feed us. As such, CFA is in support of Bill C-205, an act to amend the Health of Animals Act.