The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), and the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) announced a $1.2 million partnership to enhance animal health expertise in Canada.

"Our Government is delivering smart investments today to prepare the leaders of tomorrow," said Federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament Gail Shea (Egmont) on behalf of Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. "This partnership will strengthen Canada's animal disease prevention and control efforts, thereby reducing the social and economic consequences of animal disease outbreaks."

The new Canadian Regulatory Veterinary Epidemiology Network (CRVE-Net) will link Canada's five veterinary schools and contribute to the development of research and training programs at the universities. It will be led by the Centre for Veterinary Epidemiological Research at the Atlantic Veterinary College which is considered one of the leading centres for animal health epidemiological research in the world. The initiative will employ several students attending the college.

The initial phases of the project will see the establishment of a Research Chair in Regulatory Veterinary Epidemiology at the Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI, as well as graduate positions in epidemiological surveillance, risk analysis, and disease modelling. This partnership between the CFIA and the Atlantic Veterinary College will create new synergies and help attract further investments as well as, provide excellent training opportunities for veterinarians and summer students.

"This network will further strengthen our ability to understand and respond to animal health and zoonotic disease challenges in a world of ever changing risks," said Dr Brian Evans, chief veterinary officer of Canada. "It will also fulfil national and international needs by drawing upon and encouraging the development of advanced veterinary expertise in specialized areas."

"The Atlantic Veterinary College is eager to contribute expertise and leadership to the development of CRVE-Net and our shared priority of developing highly skilled professionals committed to protecting the health of all species," said Dr Donald L Reynolds, dean of the Atlantic Veterinary College.

Graduates from CRVE-Net programmes will help meet the national and international demand for additional animal and veterinary public health experts.