Resilience Through Readiness: Protecting the Sheep Industry from Emerging Disease Threats

Industry sustainability isn’t just about pasture management and economics—it’s about readiness. Our work on the Foreign Animal Disease Emergency Management Board (FAD EMB), national Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) planning, and Cache Valley Virus (CVV) surveillance builds a disease-resilient foundation for Canadian sheep production. We align environmental stewardship, market stability, and animal welfare under one core principle: without animal health, there is no sustainability.

From FMD to vector-borne viruses like CVV, emerging diseases challenge industry stability. Climate change is altering insect patterns, high-impact diseases are moving faster across borders, and food-supply disruptions are becoming more frequent. The Canadian sheep sector must meet these threats with preparedness equal to the challenge.

Our integrated approach combines science-based biosecurity, national surveillance, and coordinated emergency planning. As active members of the FAD EMB, we influence federal disease strategy. Our FMD planning framework ensures producers know their role in an outbreak. Our advocacy for CVV research and diagnostics puts us ahead of the curve on climate-driven disease shifts.

Preparedness is a shared responsibility. Whether you raise 20 sheep or 2,000, you are part of Canada’s biosecurity shield. Join our programs, access our tools, and be ready.

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