The Canadian livestock industry is taking steps to better prepare for a serious animal disease outbreak. As a leader in this process, the Animal Health Emergency Management (AHEM) project is teaming up with industry groups across Canada to deliver emergency response workshops and resources to improve industry’s emergency readiness.
“We’ve designed an engaging and informative three-part workshop series for producers and industry staff,” says Mikki Shatosky, AHEM Project Operations Manager. “Our goal is to bring people together in a virtual forum where they can listen, learn and ask those important questions that will make all the difference when an emergency strikes.”
The webinar series is structured around AHEM’s handbooks for producers and plans for associations. These resources are part of a suite of customized documents that have been collaboratively developed and tailored according to species and geographic region.
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“Since our project inception six years ago we have made tremendous progress developing helpful background information along with guidelines, checklists and protocols for use during a disease emergency,” adds Shatosky. “We are extremely proud of these resources and eager for people to understand how they can be used before, during and after a serious animal disease outbreak.”
Registration is now open for the trio of web events that kick off on February 1 and run until summer. The one-hour sessions progressively build out important animal disease management concepts and strategies. The timing and topics include:
- Webinar 1: Navigating the Unexpected – Emergency Management 101
- Webinar 2: Resourced and Ready – Exploring Proactive Disease Management Tactics and Tools
- Webinar 3: Testing, Testing, 1-2-3 – Scenarios for producer Handbook application
Everyone is invited to take part in any or all of the webinars. Whether you are a producer, part of an association, board member, small lot producer or industry professional, these informative events will deliver value.
“The AHEM webinars provide a great forum for producers and industry stakeholders to understand their role and responsibilities in preparing for and during a disease outbreak,” says Shatosky. “Not only can participants ask any pressing questions, they will have an opportunity to review and apply content from the producer and association specific resources which are now readily available.”
AHEM resources ensure a consistent approach to managing a major disease event from the grassroots producers and their provincial associations to national industry groups and governments. The goal is to enable a more coordinated response and to improve outcomes at all levels.
Check out more information about the AHEM project and webinars or register for one or all three of the free sessions at animalhealth.ca.
AHEM is a four-year (2019-2023) government funded project that is focussed on minimizing serious animal disease impact through enhanced industry awareness, capacity, and confidence. Over the course of the project, the AHEM team has collaborated with numerous provincial and national livestock commodity groups across Canada to develop customized emergency response resources, workshops, and training.
