LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Government of Alberta is taking steps to protect the province’s food supply and aid food growers and producers, as well as consumers.
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COVID-19 Industry Information
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) - Information for Industry gets updated daily and can be found here:
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CFA Covid-19 Farm Level Survey
Help ALP and the NSN share the impacts of Covid-19 with the Government of Canada
The CFA is doing a series of surveys each week to monitor how COVID19 is impacting our farmers.
Below is a link to the farm level survey that we are asking ALP Producers to fill out.
Farm level survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CRXW5WV
Deadline for this specific survey is this Thursday, March 26, 2020.
ALP will update this webpage with the new surveys as they become available, along with the due date to submit.
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March 18 Major Economic Announcement: Supports for students, laid-off workers
The Alberta government continues to support Albertans during this unprecedented global public health emergency.
Premier Kenney announced a temporary program for working adult Albertans who must self-isolate because they meet the Government of Alberta’s published criteria for self-isolation. This program also includes people who are the sole caregiver for a dependent who must self-isolate because they meet the public health criteria, and who will not have another source of pay or compensation while they are self-isolated. That money will be available starting next week to help them make ends meet until federal supports start on April 1. An online application will be made available on alberta.ca.
Albertans can defer their electricity and natural gas utility payments for residential, farm and small commercial customers for 90 days. Post-secondary students will have a six-month, interest-free holiday on student loan payments. ATB Financial and Alberta credit unions are offering deferrals on loans and mortgages to customers affected by COVID-19. Government will not collect corporate income taxes until this August 31.
The news release at alberta.ca/covid has more detail.
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Auction marts urged to introduce social distance
The Livestock Markets Association of Canada wants to see more social distance at auction marts in the wake of COVID-19.
The association has released an emergency response policy, asking its members to implement social distancing and prevention measures against the virus.
“What we are looking at is trying to get a consistent message out to our members and to the public of the responsibilities that fall on them with the COVID-19 virus,” LMAC executive secretary Rick Wright said.
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NSN: Producer Coronavirus Update
As the COVID 19 pandemic continues to unfold, the NSN remains committed to providing producers with as much information as possible and hope to minimize the impact on farmers.
We are reaching out to other industry stakeholders and continue to monitor the situation and will work with partners across the industry to manage any potential disruption.
NSN staff are all equipped to work from home and so, from our perspective, it is business as usual.
For up-to-date, local information, contact the public health unit in your community. Find more information about the current outbreak at:
- Public Health Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
- World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
- Find your local public health unit here: https://www.phdapps.health.gov.on.ca/PHULocator/
Additional services have been provided by the Canadian Federation of Agriculture:
The Canadian Agriculture Human Resource Corporation has also provided resources
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ALP Office Closed to the Public & Staff Working Remotely amid COVID-19
Effective, Monday March 16th, all ALP staff will be working from home and our physical office space will be closed to the public until further notice. Our working hours will remain the same, Monday to Friday from 8:00am until 3:30pm. If you need to reach ALP office staff, please call the office line at: 403-948-8533 and leave a voicemail message as they will be checking the voicemail periodically throughout the day and will get back to you as soon as possible. You can also send an email directly to ALP Executive Director, Ashley Scott at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or please visit our website www.ablamb.ca for director contact information.
Producers should be aware that these revised operational measures will not affect our ability to work for you. We will continue to operate our business as usual.
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Sheep Supply for month ending October and November 2019
Sheep Supply for month ending October and November 2019 from Agricuture and Agri-Foods Canada
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Publication of the Re-evaluation Decision Document RVD2020-06, Strychnine and Its Associated End-use Products (Richardson’s Ground Squirrels)
The re-evaluation decision for strychnine (RVD2020-06, Strychnine and Its Associated End-use Products (Richardson’s Ground Squirrels)) is now published on Health Canada’s website. RVD2020-06 can be found by clicking here.
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New Federal Transport Regulations Start February 20th, 2020
Notice to all producers and transporters of animals,
Under the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA’s) Health of Animals Regulations (Part XII), Canada’s livestock industry will see changes to its Transportation of Animals requirements. The new requirements will be phased in beginning February 20, 2020.
The new regulations are more detailed with respect to animal needs and specify intervals for transporters to provide food, water and rest. OSF is sharing the most recent communications materials from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for information purposes and including links to online resources available at this time.
All persons involved in the Transporting of Animals must comply with the new regulations.
Summary
1. The HAR Part XII applies on-farm, even before the transport begins.
2. Unfit animals can only be transported under the recommendation of a veterinarian and with the aim of receiving veterinary care.
3. Compromised animals must be transported to the nearest place where they can receive care or be humanely killed (cannot go through the auction market) and the maximum interval without FWR is 12 hrs.
4. Outcome-based requirements provide more protection for the vulnerable animals that are not considered as being unfit or compromised.
5. Lambs <8 days cannot go to an auction mart, can be transported one time only, for a max of 12 hours and the max interval without FWR is 12 hours.
6. Lambs > 8 days of age but not weaned can be transported for a max of 12 hours and the max interval without FWR is 12 hours (can go through an auction market).
7. Cull ewes have to be assessed carefully before transport and the driver must be informed of all pertinent pre-existing conditions.
8. Lactating ewes in peak lactation are unfit for transport. If in normal lactation, the ewe has to be milked adequately to prevent mammary engorgement.
Additional Resources
- A PDF copy of the information below click here
- A copy of the "Now Vs Then" CFIA document click here
- Direct link to Humane Transport and Animal Welfare website click here
- A Copy of CFIA Sheep Webinar with OSF - January 2020 click here
- Checklist for Animal Transportation click here
- The Interpretive guidance Health of Animals Regulations Part XII: Transportation of Animals will be updated to address the questions CFIA receives in order to help the third parties in interpreting the HAR Part XII.
- National Farm Animal Care Council - Sheep Codes of Practice for the Care and Handling of Sheep click here
Have a question? CFIA is here to assist! Please send any questions to the Animal Transport email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.