OFA provided comments on proposed amendments to the Animal Health Act (AHA). OFA supports the proposed amendments to the AHA which includes allowing the Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to issue a temporary response order respecting specific hazards, including animal health emergencies, upon advice from the Chief Veterinarian for Ontario. OFA further supports enabling the Minister to extend the temporary response order for an additional 72 hours upon the recommendation of the Chief Veterinarian for Ontario, should the criteria for issuing the order continue to exist.
OFA recommends that the compensation provisions outlined in section 26 of the AHA also apply to temporary response orders.
OFA believes that enhancing emergency preparedness measures helps to ensure that humans, animals, and Ontario’s food supply remains protected during a disease emergency.