Travel Safe: Stop Foot and Mouth Disease at the Gate

As summer approaches, many Canadians begin planning vacations and welcoming visitors to their farms. With increased travel and farm traffic, everyone —both those working on and visiting farms— are part of keeping Canada free of foreign animal disease such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). For beef cattle producers, travelling safe involves knowing key information before returning to Canada. A few of these guidelines include:  

Before you travel:  

• Inform Canadian Border Services of your travel plans. 
• Know the FMD status of the region(s) you will be travelling to. 
• Be aware of the most up-to-date information on FMD outbreaks and FMD status.  

While travelling:

• Avoid direct contact with livestock and wild animals. 
• Do not purchase or bring back any meat or animal products. 
• Clean and disinfect footwear and clothing regularly. 
• Leave behind any items that cannot easily be disinfected. 

The year 2015 was just before a national election – which have major influences on policy paths, administration goals, and how farmers feel about their future.