National farming organization denounces veterinary cuts
The National Farmers Union in New Brunswick is not happy with the Holt government’s announcement that it would phase out provincial veterinary and laboratory services.
In a release, the NFU said the decision without consulting farmers, veterinarians or other relevant stakeholders.
According to the release, farmers in northern New Brunswick already know what happens when services are reduced and new farmers can’t access them.
“We aren’t being given any options, and the deadline is extremely tight,” Guillaume Légère, a cattle producer with PMG Farm in Caraquet, said in a statement.
“Most of our farms (in northern New Brunswick) are in isolated areas or are very far apart from one another. We don’t have the agricultural density of our neighbouring provinces to attract private sector interest in providing these services.”
Légère said agriculture is not a luxury, and there are small farms that will just disappear as services are cut.
The NFU-NB is also concerned these cuts will harm the industry in the event of emergency situations such as animal disease outbreak or climate-related incidents.
The organization said access to local vet and lab services is critical to managing health emergencies like Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has no labs in New Brunswick. The CFIA is tasked with managing emergencies and relies on private and provincial vets for support.
Another concern the NFU expressed is a lack of vets in the province who are able or willing to provide services to large animals and livestock.
Of course, the money aspect is also a concern.
“The elimination of this essential service places an additional financial burden on our producers, who are already struggling to turn a profit,” said NFU-NB president Alexis Légère. “This could be the last straw for some producers, who will likely be forced to close their doors due to the lack of service or because the service has become too expensive.”
NFU-NB accused the government of acting contrary to its own plan to increase self-sufficiency and land in production with the cuts, arguing it’s not possible if farms disappear.
The organization demanded the Department of Agriculture and provincial government re-evaluate the decision and how cuts are made to government services.
“Budgetary decisions should be made that have the least impact on our economy, farmers’ health and our self-sufficiency,” the statement said.
