Update on livestock health issues in Quebec

The scientific open days organised by the National Livestock Health Institute in Quebec spotlighted the main livestock health issues currently attracting attention in Canada. Key concerns include livestock health surveillance systems geared to sufficiently early detection of new diseases. Canadian livestock health surveillance networks are currently directing their efforts towards the surveillance of antibiotic resistance. Another of their concerns is traceability. They are currently reviewing the regulations on livestock transportation. Post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome is now fairly well controlled due to the availability of two vaccines. The surveillance networks' main health concern remains porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome; they are currently working to design a new filtration system. In their opinion, genetic resistance to disease is the way forward. This article also reviews two other key actions being rolled out in Quebec, i.e. the deployment of a plan for controlling Salmonella outbreaks and the development of oversight systems for selection and breeding programmes.