ANIMAL HEALTH ACT
The
Animal Health Act
provides the legal authority and framework to mitigate disease risk
and respond rapidly to an animal disease outbreak through livestock traceability systems
and the establishment of quarantines and control measures. The Chief Provincial
Veterinarian is the designated authority under the
Animal Health Act
.
The
Animal Health Act
consists of the
Act
and seven regulations:
·
Destruction and Disposal of Dead Animals Regulation
·
Livestock Disease Control Regulation
·
Livestock Market and Livestock Assembling Station Regulation
·
Production Animal Medicine Regulation
·
Reportable and Notifiable Diseases Regulation
·
Traceability Cattle Identification Regulation
·
Traceability Premises Identification Regulation
The
Animal Health Act
:
·
Defines reportable and notifiable diseases
o
specific diseases listed in the Regulation
·
Identifies the duty of an individual to report diseases
·
Provides for examination of animals by an inspector
·
Issuance of a quarantine order.
·
Declaration of a quarantine.
·
Restrict animal movement within a quarantine zone.
·
Order the destruction of animals and provide compensation.
·
Issue licenses and conduct inspections.
·
Keeping of records in accordance with the Regulations.
·
Establish control zones for disease surveillance.
·
Appeals procedure for quarantine costs, licensing, and compensation.
·
Offences for contravening the
Act
.
The Regulations detail livestock identification and traceability systems, proper disposal of
dead animals, name specific notifiable and reportable diseases, and the licensing
requirements of a Production Animal Medicine outlet and Livestock Marketing and
Assembly Stations.
ASB Roles and Responsibilities under this Act
·
ASBs are considered an “authorized person” and must report reportable or
notifiable diseases under the
Animal Health Act
to the Office of the Chief Provincial
Vet within 24 hours
Link to Act:
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/rsv13511
16
link