A Healthy Environment Needs Healthy Animals

Our health is closely linked to the health of our animals and our environment. This fundamental principle is referred to as One Health: the idea that what affects one will affect all others. Improvements made to animal health will also improve the health of Canadians and our planet.

Animals play a unique role in our lives. Pet ownership is linked to improved mental and physical health. Food animals provide us with safe, nutritious, and affordable meat, milk, and eggs. Animal agriculture is under unprecedented global pressure, and this is predicted to grow as the global human population expands to 8.5 billion by 2030. It is also anticipated that as our population grows, diseases from wildlife will increasingly cross over into vulnerable populations of people and domestic animals. Good animal health supports communities, encourages the efficient use of resources like land and water, and is directly linked to human health.

As a sector, the Canadian animal health industry is committed to innovative and sustainable practices, both within our supply chains and after products are sold to end-users, to meet the needs of the changing conditions of our planet.

WHAT ARE WE DOING?

• At the global level, many of CAHI’s member companies are investing in innovative new medicines, diagnostic tools and technology such as smart collars and ear tags, to support the management of animal health and welfare in our homes and on the farm.

• We are supportive of harmonized government initiatives to build a circular economy in which product packaging is more sustainable through increased recycled content targets, commitments to reduce packaging, and compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility programs, in the Canadian provinces where they exist.

• We offer obsolete product collections to keep animal health products out of our landfills and waterways. CAHI works in partnership with Cleanfarms and the Health Products

Stewardship Association, to offer free-of-charge medications return programs for safe disposal. To date, over 50,000 kg have been collected.

Optimal animal health is fundamental to a more sustainable future. Canadian pet owners, farmers, and veterinarians are adopting the use of advanced tools and animal care practices, but more can be done. Removing regulatory obstacles to innovation, increasing public-private partnerships, and supporting technology adoption will improve animal health and support Canadian families as we work together to manage the impact of Climate Change in the coming years.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: CAHI-ICSA.CA

ABOUT THE 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 Canada’s animal health product market.