Southern Albertan MP, Opposition agricultural critic re-introduces private member's bill

John Barlow, Member of Parliament for Foothills and Conservative Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Agri-Food and Food Security, recently introduced Bill C-275, An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act. This Bill was first introduced as C-205 in the 43rd Parliament, and received support from the NDP, Green Party, Bloc, Conservative and stakeholder groups across the country.

Bill C-275 will make it an offence under the Health of Animals Act to enter, without lawful authority or excuse, a place in which animals are kept if doing so could result in the exposure of the animals to a disease or toxic substance.

“Protecting the biosecurity of animals and workers must be the priority when it comes to farms and food processing centres,” said Barlow.

“In today’s global marketplace it is critical we protect the integrity of Canada’s food supply and ensure our food remains safe to eat, protect animals and workers from disease outbreaks, and ensure farmers and agri-food businesses do not lose significant income.”

The Act currently provides for the control of diseases and toxic substances that may affect animals or may be transmitted by animals to persons. However, the obligations and prohibitions apply in respect of the owner of the animals. Currently, there is nothing which addresses trespassers. This legislation aims to change that gap in the Act.

MP Barlow added, “This is very fitting with what we have seen across Canada with the spread of Avian Influenza, the possibility of diseases like African Swine Fever, and what we have gone through in my riding with BSE. These show how devastating an outbreak is to our food supply, how important it is to protect biosecurity on our farms and ensure that those who may endanger our farms and our farm families are held accountable for those actions.”

This Bill will not, in any way, limit an individual’s right to peacefully protest on public property and will not muzzle whistleblowers. However, it will increase the penalties for groups and organizations who encourage individuals to threaten the biosecurity of animals and workers.