The Animal Production Act of Saskatchewan consolidates the legal framework governing the production, sale, transport, and inspection of animals and animal products. It repeals several prior statutes, including the Animal Identification Act, the Animal Products Act, the Line Fence Act, and the Stray Animals Act. The Act defines a broad scope of regulated animals and animal products, encompassing both traditional livestock and species such as insects and ratites. It establishes the responsibilities and powers of the Minister, including the authority to delegate functions and enter into service and administration agreements for the delivery of regulatory services. These agreements must include detailed provisions on delegated powers, reporting obligations, financial accountability, and compliance mechanisms. Licensing is mandated for individuals and entities engaged in specified animal-related activities, with provisions for suspension, cancellation, and penalties for non-compliance. Inspectors are granted extensive powers to enter premises, conduct searches, detain animals or products, and enforce compliance, with safeguards such as warrants required for private dwellings. The Act introduces a system of premises identification and animal identifiers, which serve as proof of ownership and are subject to registration, regulation, and cancellation. It also addresses fencing obligations, cost-sharing arrangements between landowners, and dispute resolution through arbitration. Stray animal management is comprehensively regulated, assigning liability to owners for damages, empowering municipalities to enact bylaws, and permitting the humane destruction of dangerous strays under prescribed conditions. The Act also provides for animal keepers’ liens, allowing for the detention and sale of animals to recover unpaid care costs. An assurance fund framework is established to protect producers against financial loss, with provisions for levies, fund administration, and appeals. Offences under the Act attract both summary conviction penalties and administrative fines, with rights of appeal to the Court of King’s Bench.
Canada · 2022-01-01