Overview
The Alberta government supports agricultural sustainability through an effective and efficient legislative framework. The Inspection and Investigation Section (IIS) ensures compliance of assigned legislation that contributes to food safety, animal health and welfare, public health and market access. It does so through the consistent application of Agriculture’s Compliance Principles.
To achieve compliance, the IIS establishes standards, conducts inspections of various facilities, and receives complaints from the public regarding matters requiring investigation. The section works closely with producers, industry associations, agencies and other governments to develop legislative reviews, ensuring they are relevant, reflect current technology, and practices.
The IIS also helps ensure Alberta remains rat free through the Rat Control Program, under the authority of the Agricultural Pests Act and Pest and Nuisance Control Regulation. See Responsibilities below for all programs administered by this section.
Legislation
Assigned legislation
The IIS is responsible for enforcing the following acts and regulations:
| Act | Applicable regulations |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Pests Act | Pest and Nuisance Control Regulation |
| Animal Health Act |
|
| Animal Keepers Act | |
| Dairy Industry Act | Dairy Industry Regulation |
| Feeder Associations Guarantee Act | Feeder Associations Guarantee Regulation |
| Fur Farms Act | Fur Farms Regulation |
| Line Fence Act | |
| Livestock and Livestock Products Act | Purchase and Sale of Eggs and Processed Egg Regulation |
| Livestock Industry Diversification Act | Domestic Cervid Industry Regulation |
Related legislation
In addition to enforcing the assigned legislation above, the IIS assists with the compliance and enforcement of legislation assigned to other branches within agriculture.
| Meat Inspection Act | Meat Inspection Regulation |
| Animal Health Act | Swine Traceability Regulation Assists the Chief Provincial Veterinarian |
| Bee Act | Assists the Provincial Apiculturist |
| Farm Implement and Dealership Act | Assists the Farmers' Advocate Office |
Responsibilities
The section is responsible for the enforcement of the legislation listed above. Compliance and enforcement comes by way of routine inspections of licensed facilities or through investigations.
Licensing Unit – this unit issues licenses, permits and renewal notices, tracks licence and permit fee collections and deposits, and administers the Cervid Farming System.
Inspections and Investigations – routine inspections are conducted at regular intervals, as well as follow-up inspections if a facility does not meet regulatory standards. Investigations are conducted for functions that fall outside routine and follow-up inspections, as well as some of the section’s programs, including reviewing complaints from the general public, department staff, other government agencies, and industry stakeholders.
Programs
The IIS is responsible for the administration of several programs that play a crucial role in Alberta’s agriculture industry:
- Alberta dairy inspection system
- Feeder Associations Loan Guarantee Program
- Report mandatory cervid farm information
- Rat Control Program
- Wild Boar Control Program
Contact
For general inquiries, to make a complaint, or to reach an Inspector or Investigator, contact the main IIS office at:
Phone: 1-866-252-6403
Email: [email protected]
To report a rat or wild boar sighting:
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]