| Guelph, Ontario – March 18, 2020 – As the impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt across Canada and the world, the Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI) and its members are actively monitoring this ever-changing situation and its potential impacts on veterinary medicine. The Government of Canada has significantly limited international travel into Canada; however, these restrictions do not apply to cross-border trade or commerce. To date, CAHI, working with its members and global affiliates, has not identified any shortages, disruptions or delays in production for animal health products in relation to COVID-19. CAHI continues to request that its members notify the office should a disruption be identified and/or anticipated.According to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, there currently is limited evidence that companion animals can be infected with COVID-19 and no evidence that pet dogs or cats can be a source of infection to other animals or to humans. The World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also state there is no evidence to suggest that pets or livestock might be a source of COVID-19 infection at this time. CAHI recognizes the important role animals play in our lives, both as companions and in the production of protein. In particular, the companionship offered by pets will be crucial to mitigating the negative effects of potentially prolonged government mandated social distancing measures especially for Canada’s older, more vulnerable populations. CAHI urges Health Canada and other regulatory authorities to continue to recognize the essential role of animal health products in maintaining healthy communities, and to continue to support their commercial movement across borders as restrictions are implemented and government resources are re-allocated to address COVID-19. This will strengthen our global food system and support Canadian families by ensuring that the tools veterinarians need to support animal health remain available. The health and safety of CAHI members, their staff, association staff and our stakeholders is of primary importance to us, and we are supportive of the social distancing measures that have been put in place by Canadian governments. As the situation evolves, CAHI will continue to reassess the appropriateness of in-person meetings and is committed to offering remote participation options. To ensure continued service delivery to our membership, CAHI staff will remain fully accessible by telephone and email. As of today’s date, CAHI is still hoping to be able to move ahead with the 2020 Annual Convention in Blue Mountain, Ontario from June 1-3, 2020, but this approach will continue to be assessed as the anticipated duration of public health measures to control COVID-19 become clearer in the coming weeks. In order to further share information about COVID-19 in an animal health context, CAHI has created a webpage where links to important information for our sector will be shared. CAHI members are encouraged to check this page regularly and to continually monitor email for important messages from our regulators as well. About CAHI
As the not-for-profit trade association representing the developers, manufacturers and distributors of animal pharmaceuticals, biologics, feed additives, veterinary health products and animal pesticides in Canada, CAHI is the unified voice and information source for the animal health industry in Canada. CAHI is a national association, whose members are responsible for the sales of approximately 95% of the animal health product market in Canada. Sales by CAHI member companies in 2018 were approximately $860 million. Contact: Colleen McElwain, Programs Director
Canadian Animal Health Institute
(519) 763-7777 |
