US EditionPublished • loading... • Updated
Farmers Outraged over N.B. Government’s Move to Privatize Large Animal Veterinarian Service
The New Brunswick government aims to cut a $1.4 billion deficit by privatizing large-animal veterinary services, which currently cost about $5 million annually.
- The Holt government revealed in its budget that provincially run field veterinary and laboratory services will be phased out over three years due to a $1.4 billion fiscal shortfall.
- The province argued the move will free funds for health care and education as Agriculture Minister Pat Finnigan said less than a third of vet calls come from commercial farms, with the rest from hobby and horse farms.
- Glen Savoie warned 'this decision boils down to one single thing', calling it a panic move that endangers food security, while Tim Clancy recalled a ~45-minute public vet response time.
- Some farmers plan to protest on March 31 outside the provincial legislature, while officials reported private veterinarians setting up practices and the New Brunswick Cattle Producers Association will survey members and report back.
- New Brunswick remains one of the last provinces funding public field vets, with the program costing about $5 million a year, while farmers warn of risks to emergency coverage and disease control.
Insights by Ground AI
13 Articles
13 Articles
The Toronto Star+9 Reposted by 9 other sources
Cattle producers push back as N.B. moves to end provincially run veterinary care
FREDERICTON - A group representing cattle farmers in New Brunswick say it takes issue with the province's plan to axe government-run veterinary services.
·Toronto, Canada
Read Full Article
Coverage Details
Total News Sources13
Leaning Left6Leaning Right0Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Left
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources lean Left
60% Left
L 60%
C 40%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
