BILL NO. 301
(as introduced)
1st Session, 64th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
1 Charles III, 2023
Private Member's Bill
Avian Influenza Testing Act
The Honourable Keith Irving
Kings South
First Reading: April 5, 2023
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
An Act to Provide for Testing
for Avian Influenza
AND WHEREAS the closest Canadian laboratory able to test for the presence of avian influenza in farm animals is located in Manitoba;
AND WHEREAS it is in the best interest of agricultural producers and industry to provide fast and free testing to stop the spread of novel strains of avian influenza before they become endemic;
THEREFORE be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:
1 This Act may be cited as the Avian Influenza Testing Act.
"avian influenza" means any form of Type A influenza naturally spread among birds;
"Department" means the Department of Agriculture;
"Minister" means the Minister of Agriculture.3 (1) The Minister shall ensure that the Animal Health Laboratory operated by the Department has the capacity to
(a) test for the presence of avian influenza; and
(b) perform serological tests to assist in analysing the spread and development of avian influenza.
(2) Subject to Section 5, the Department shall offer testing for avian influenza at no cost to agricultural producers and industry, wildlife rehabilitation organizations and veterinarians.
4 The Minister shall cooperate with the ministers responsible for agriculture in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island to share information and research relating to the spread and development of avian influenza.
5 The money required for the purpose of this Act must be paid out of money appropriated for that purpose by the Legislature.
This page and its contents published by the Office of the Legislative Counsel, Nova Scotia House of Assembly, and © 2023 Crown in right of Nova Scotia. Created April 5, 2023. Send comments to legc.office@novascotia.ca.
