CCA AGM MARCH 2020-Animal Health and Care Committee Report

Earlier this year, the Young Cattlemen’s Council (YCC) had the opportunity to be present at the Canadian Cattlemen's Association (CCA) Animal Health and Care Committee meeting during the Association’s AGM on March 11, 2020 in Ottawa. The committee had many points on the agenda, with the main points focusing on the Canadian Foot and Mouth disease vaccine bank and the recent transport regulations.

Discussions on the Canadian Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine bank centred around the need for more stock of a vaccine, and in coordination with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), CCA continues to look at different options. The committee also ran through a scenario if there was to be an outbreak and how the CCA would respond. This process was very eye-opening from a YCC representative perspective, as it gave some insight on how the CCA operates in those types of situations, and how they work to represent the industry in the most efficient way possible.  

There was also discussion on the new transportation regulations, and the committee looked at the ongoing Transport Rest Stop Study funded under the Beef Science Cluster. The hope is to continue working with CFIA to ensure the regulations can be implemented by the industry and will maintain and improve Canada’s excellent track record on cattle welfare.
 
Kayla Weston
Alberta Delegate and President
Young Cattlemen’s Council