In 1986, Alberta Agriculture and Alberta Environment sponsored a workshop on the "Effects of Acid-Forming Emissions in Livestock."

While a number of recommendations emerged from that workshop, there was no mechanism in place to implement them. Since then, additional research has been done but there are differing views about the severity and urgency of this issue.

An animal health working group reviewed background information from a range of sources to determine the nature, extent and seriousness of the issue. These sources included presentations from stakeholders, scientific and medical studies, and information from farmers and the public.

The review indicated that a project team was justified. At the March 2000 board of directors meeting, the animal health project team was approved.

Workshop

In November 1999, the team held a two-day workshop to develop a shared understanding of:

• Accepted practices in animal health management
• Expected levels of health
• Current scientific/research knowledge relating to air quality and animal health