The Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Eric Hammill, today rejected allegations that public health and the well-being of animals is being threatened by the elimination of subsidies for veterinarian services and travel costs. The allegations were made on Thursday by the Prince Edward Island Veterinary Medical Association.
"Such allegations are a serious misrepresentation of the efforts of government and industry to ensure the production of safe, high quality food products," said Mr. Hammill.
The minister said the subsidies paid last year were less than $200,000, down significantly from the close to one million budgeted for the program five years ago. If there were to be any negative impacts on public or animal health, they would have occurred by now, he said.
"In fact, we have seen a measurable improvement in the quality of products in recent years," said Mr. Hammill. "Dairy and livestock products undergo stringent testing and we have actually seen improvements as a result of testing over periods of time. We simply have no evidence that quality is being compromised."
Mr. Hammill said there are significant safeguards to protect both consumers and animal health. He said the potential disease outbreaks raised by the PEIVMA are reportable under federal health of animals legislation, and are not within provincial jurisdiction.
"I am fully satisfied that the level of herd health in this province meets the highest federal standards and that public health is not being threatened," he said.
Mr. Hammill also said the allegations are an insult to the commitment of livestock producers to maintain and improve the health of their herds and of their ability to administer necessary drugs and other measures to prevent and cure health problems. He said he was confident that livestock producers will continue to improve the health standards of their animals.
"We will continue to work closely with veterinarians and producers to ensure that our high standards are maintained and improved," he said.