Canada's New Government Invests 2.1 Million Dollars To Combat Global Animal Health Threats

Main Category: Veterinary
Also Included In: Bird Flu / Avian Flu
Article Date: 26 Jul 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister responsible for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), announced 2.1 million dollars in funding to Veterinarians Without Borders to help limit the spread of avian influenza and other contagious animal diseases world-wide.

"Fighting contagious animal diseases around the world is just another example of the commitment by Canada's New Government to protecting the security, health and prosperity of Canadians, " said Minister Strahl. "The work done by these veterinarians helps protect Canada, because diseases don't respect borders, and one that affects a foreign country today may be a Canadian problem tomorrow."

Veterinarians Without Borders will receive $2.1 million in funding over the next five years through the CFIA. This investment will enable Veterinarians Without Borders to deploy animal health experts from Canada to undertake projects in animal health, veterinary public health and eco-system health in developing and transitioning countries.

"By addressing the potential development of diseases at their source, these projects are providing important social, health and economic benefits at the local level and contributing to global security," said David Waltner-Toews, the president of Veterinarians Without Borders. "An additional benefit is that the Canadian veterinarians involved in the work will develop better understandings of these diseases. This will help them respond should they happen in Canada."

Veterinarians Without Borders originated within Canada's veterinary colleges. It is a charitable, humanitarian organization whose mandate is to foster the health of animals, people and the environment. The group engages in activities around the world to build capacity- and community-based programs related to the health of farm animals (aquaculture and land-based), urban domestic animals and wildlife, as well as public and ecosystem health. Projects are underway in Madagascar, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, East Africa and Southeast Asia.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency