Agriculture committee  I have worked with Humane Canada, which is actually the group that sits at the table, or has in the past, in the development of the national farm animal codes, as Mr. Currie talked about. As you say, it is an umbrella, a voluntary organization of animal protection groups, animal

Agriculture committee  That's a very interesting question. To be honest, I was not aware of situations where farmers did not call local authorities. I'm more familiar with situations where farmers do call local authorities and in the end nothing happens. I do think that, at least in Ontario, from the e

Agriculture committee  It's a challenge to do that because birds are not the same as cattle; cattle are not the same as pigs; pigs are not the same as horses. It depends a lot on the species and depends a lot on the organisms. However, generally the principle is to try to keep the animal—a bird, say— f

Agriculture committee  Thank you very much. I guess I'm supposed to address the chair, but it is nice to see you again, Dave. I can mostly speak from Ontario, but certainly provinces talk. The federal-provincial ag departments talk frequently enough, so I think I can represent most of the provincial

Agriculture committee  I'm sorry. Do you mean about the perception of people and the risk?

Agriculture committee  I think the risk to an individual farmer who has someone come into their barn with their animals, and where they have their family, can be significant. You already identified the risk of bringing in the disease. That depends a lot on where those individuals have been in the pas

Agriculture committee  I would start by saying that I agree with Dr. Komal. I am not up to date on the science, but I certainly respect him and his position, and I don't think he would make that comment to this committee without making sure of his facts. His point about the exposure is kind of the poin

Agriculture committee  First, I would like to highlight the incredible investments that the food and agriculture sector in this country has already made in building that trust. The organization I referenced, the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity, is a not-for-profit organization that began in the hand

Agriculture committee  I think the intent of the bill is good. I think the problem the bill is trying to address is real. I agree with Mr. Currie and the CFA. I think these things are getting worse and people who oppose animal agriculture are getting bolder. In that way, in terms of sending a signal, I

Agriculture committee  I'm sorry. Are you asking me?

Agriculture committee  I am not a lawyer, so I have no ability to really give you a definitive answer on that. Mr. Currie may choose to respond. I think that in some ways that's the intent they are trying to address with the amendment, which is to say that “if you're there, assume that this may cause

Agriculture committee  Thank you very much for the question. Again, I'm not wearing a hat of any particular organization. I'm here with my hatless head today. You're right that biosecurity expectations have changed. People used to welcome people into their barns. It was seen as a sign of friendliness.

Agriculture committee  Great. Thank you very much. I am pleased to accept the invitation to appear before this committee as you consider Bill C-205, an act to amend the Health of Animals Act. I want to start by emphasizing that I'm here because I was invited and I wish to be helpful. It's very import