Canada’s House of Commons debates farm trespassing bill

Canadian MP John Barlow has introduced a bill aimed at curbing trespassing on farm property, saying that it will better ensure biosecurity and food security.
calendar icon 2 December 2020
clock icon 1 minute read

According to reporting in Nanton News, MP Barlow’s Bill, C-205, An Act to Amend the Health of Animals Act, hopes to give farmers additional protections when people trespass onto farm property or facilities. It also increases the penalties for groups and organisations that encourage trespass, or encourage individuals to threaten the health of workers and animals on farm facilities.

Barlow stresses that the bill does not hinder an individual’s right to peacefully protest on public property. He hopes that the bill will shore up farm biosecurity and strengthen Canada’s food supply.

 

"When activists trespass onto farm property and facilities they may not fully grasp the consequences of their actions," said Barlow.

"First and foremost, they are endangering the safety of livestock, farmers, their families and workers.

"Protecting Canada's food supply is critical - viruses like African Swine Fever (ASF), Avian Influenza (AI), Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) pose a real threat to Canadian agriculture.

"These biosecurity threats can decimate poultry operations, livestock herds and devastate our industry and economy.

"We have seen the devastating impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the entire Canadian economy, animal-borne diseases like ASF and FMD would equally devastate our agriculture sector from farm to table."

Read more about this story in Nanton News.

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