John Barlow
Debate began last week on Foothills MP John Barlow’s farm biosecurity bill.
Bill C-275 would make it an offence to enter a place where animals are kept if doing so could result in the exposure of the animals to a disease or toxic substance that is capable of affecting or contaminating them.
“The protection of animals, farm families and workers will always be my priority when it comes to farms and processing facilities,” said Barlow, who is Conservative shadow critic for agriculture and agrifood.
“It is becoming all too common for individuals or groups to trespass on farms and food processing facilities. This has the potential to cause massive biosecurity issues for animals and endanger the individuals who work with them.”
Barlow explained the Health of Animals Act provides for the control of diseases and toxic substances that may affect animals or may be transmitted by animals to persons.
At present, the obligations and prohibitions presently apply in respect of the owner of the animals.
“Currently, there is nothing which addresses trespassers which is an oversight this bill aims to change,” Barlow said in a news release.
Barlow stressed the bill will not limit an individual’s right to peacefully protest on public property.
The bill does increase the penalties for groups and organizations who encourage individuals to threaten the biosecurity of animals and workers.
“It is now more important than ever to protect Canada’s food supply as viruses like African Swine fever, Avian Flu and Foot and Mouth Disease are more prominent and present a real threat to Canadian agriculture and our food security,” Barlow said.
The bill was well-supported in the last Parliament and continues to be championed by ranchers, food processors, farm groups and commodity organizations.
“Canada’s more than 1,100 egg farmers follow comprehensive and rigorous food safety standards, which include strict biosecurity measures,” Egg Farmers of Canada chairman Roger Pelissero said. “The proposed amendments to the Health of Animals Act offer an avenue to further strengthen our overall food system by enhancing the measures in place to protect the health of farm animals across our country.”
National Cattle Feeders’ Association chairman Michel Daigle also voiced support
“It will provide protection and assure that our farms and ranches remain safe without risking the biosecurity we work so hard to maintain,” Daigle said. “Biosecurity measures ensure we can continue to produce safe, healthy food for Canada, and the world. Bills like this work to safeguard our farms from those seeking to compromise that safety by trespassing.”
John Barlow
