| | Welcome to the Biology Section of the Agri-Food Laboratories Branch. The Agri-Food Laboratories Branch (AFLB) is part of the Food Safety and Animal Health Division, Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD).
The primary purpose of the Biology Section is to enable the growth of Alberta's agriculture and food industry. The Biology Section’s work is focused on food safety, zoonoses and animal health for market access. The section provides objective scientific evidence that establishes and promotes the safety of Alberta's agriculture and food products in the domestic and international market places. The Biology Section does not offer any diagnostic services to the public.
Biology Section laboratories perform analyses to support surveillance and monitoring throughout the food continuum. Staff conduct analyses and interpret laboratory results to provide partners and stakeholders with valuable information. This information is used to evaluate industry practices and identify potential risks. Findings are communicated to clients, partners and stakeholders through reports, by giving presentations at scientific and industry meetings and publishing results in peer-reviewed journals and industry publications.
The Biology Section encompasses five individual laboratories, each with its own specific field of study. These fields include Food Microbiology, Veterinary Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Virology/Immunology and Parasitology. Advanced methodologies are utilized for the detection of organisms that impact food safety and animal health. Laboratory staff possess particular expertise for the detection of various bacteria, viruses and parasites (e.g. Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli, Campylobacter, Avian Influenza, Infectious Laryngotracheitis and Cryptosporidium). Analyses are performed on a variety of food, environmental and livestock samples.
Biology Section staff perform laboratory testing in support of the Animal Health Act, which was proclaimed on January 1, 2009 and replaces the Livestock Diseases Act. The new Act includes The Reportable and Notifiable Diseases Regulation, which designates diseases that represent a threat to market access, the economy and/or animal or public health as reportable. Diseases designated at notifiable are monitored for trade purposes, or to understand their dynamics/epidemiology in Alberta. Testing for listed diseases is performed by the Biology Section Laboratories and other AFLB labs.
Biology Section laboratories participate in the Canadian Animal Health Surveillance Network (CAHSN). As one of the CAHSN's Network labs, the Biology Section is committed to providing laboratory resources in the event of an outbreak of a major foreign animal disease. Network labs are trained in standardized methodologies and reporting procedures for key diseases as a requirement for membership in this Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) - led initiative. Network labs are currently capable of performing testing for Avian Influenza, Classical Swine Fever, Newcastle Disease and Foot and Mouth Disease.
For more information on the BiologySection, please contact Section Head Dr. Valerie Bohaychuk.
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