Issue: The goal of the Canadian Animal Health Network (CAHNet) is to link federal-provincial-private animal disease surveillance partners in Canada to ensure that animal disease does not impede trade. This goal benefits all stakeholders and no single group has the resources to adequately perform all the necessary functions required to achieve it.

Preferred Option A working group will be formed to examine the potential roles and responsibilities and come back to the committee with a prosposal. Most respondants favoured some formal document outlining expectations on all sides. Perhaps the solution will be a statement of principles, such as the Alberta-CFIA "Principles" (attached). Specific working groups formed could have an agreement with more detail in the requirements.

- Martine Dubuc & Michel Major

CAHNet Support

- André Doré

Next Steps

1. Determine working group membership

2. Develop terms of reference and action plan with group by August

Issue: The provinces vary in terms of the depth of information they have on hand for responding to animal disease inquiries. National statements on animal health status, made in response to requests from trading partners, would carry more validity if accompanied by a description of the surveillance standards on which they were based.

Preferred Option A working group will incrementally develop surveillance standards, probably first with respect to selected diseases. In the long term, may validate some zoning criteria which will protect trade in parts of the country in the event of disease incursions in others.

- Sandra Honour

CAHNet Support

- John Kellar

Next Steps

1. Develop working group membership

2. Develop terms of reference and action plan with group by August

Issue: Would CAHNet be enhanced by development and maintenance of an Internet site?

Preferred Option Contract UPEI so Support Group workload not a concern. All material posted will be reviewed by Committee to offset security concern.

Carolyn Inch (September)

1. Send committee a list of proposed documents for posting.

2. Complete paperwork to pay UPEI the $1000 to start site development

Issue:

CFIA's veterinarians certify freedom from specific diseases to enable the export of animals and animal products. In certain cases, they certify for diseases not covered by federal surveillance.

Preferred Option

In the longer term want to have a formal agreement among CAHNet partners to clarify in advance the conditions for collaboration. (Not too restrictive to deal with varying scenarios.) In the interim, when there is a disease inquiry, it will be dealt with by the Surveillance Subcommittee on an ad hoc basis.

Issue: Large animal practitioners, and to some extent producers, are our first window of opportunity to detect new or emerging diseases. To build on the awareness, a wallet-sized CAHNet surveillance card containing contact names could be distributed.

Preferred Option: Not enough information to base discussion. Not extremely contentious. Group could provide feedback on prototype.

Wayne Lees

Actions:

1. Contact provincial vet associ. about potential for piggyback

2. Send out optional prototype to Committee members

Issue: Introduction of user fees, downsizing of laboratory services, budgetary freezes, the advent of private laboratories and increased movement of diagnostic samples across borders have all played a role in eroding confidence in the traditional passive surveillance system.

Preferred Option Formation of a working group to develop an action plan to approach the problem. May involve MOUs and increased funding

- David Alves

CAHNet Support

Wayne Lees

Next Steps

1. Develop working group membership

2. Develop terms of reference and action plan by August

How to find additional resources beyond our respective organizations and make better use of those that we have

Preferred Option Both mximize our collaborative efforts and fnding additional funding sources for surveillance activities are preferred. A small working group will look at these questions.

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CAHNet Support

- John Kellar

Next Steps

1. Develop working group

2. Develop terms of reference and action plan by August

Ron Rogers, AHPD, CFIA

Peter Hunton, Ontario Egg Producers

Bill Anderson, Montreal Region CFIA

André Doré

Wayne Lees

Christine Power

Carolyn Inch