Manitoba has named a task force to review the distribution of — and increased demands on — veterinarians handling livestock in the province.
The review will look at how veterinary services are distributed, systems currently in place for early warning and surveillance of both local and foreign animal diseases, and how effectively provincial services are responding to increased demands on veterinarians, the provincial agriculture department said in a release Wednesday.
“The responsibilities of veterinarians are evolving and their duties now include providing surveillance for the potential threat of foreign animal diseases that could have serious consequences for Manitoba’s wild animals and the province’s livestock industry,” said Agriculture Minister Rosann Wowchuk in the release.
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“As the services required from veterinarians expand, it remains important that Manitoba’s producers have timely access to veterinary medical care for their livestock. We need to review what services are needed and how they can be made available.”
The task force will be chaired by livestock producer Ron Kostyshyn of Ethelbert, and includes St. Pierre area veterinarian Dr. Paul Schneider and private citizen Neil Hathaway of Deloraine.
The task force is also expected to re-examine current legislation and existing provincial programs, review how veterinary services are provided in other jurisdictions, and make recommendations on options to meet current and future demands for veterinary medical service for all provincial livestock producers and animal owners.
The task force has scheduled a series of public consultations across rural Manitoba and will advertise times and locations locally, the province said. Farmers looking for more information can call 204-945-7648. The dates include:
| Eriksdale | March 3 |
| Dauphin | March 4 |
| Souris | March 5 |
| St. Claude | March 6 |
| Oak Bluff | March 7 |
