| | Food Safety | Information Technology Services | Information Management | Regulatory Services | Rural Utilities
Food Safety and Animal Health
The Food Safety and Animal Health Division focuses on safe food production systems and animal health programs that protect public health and support market access for Alberta's agriculture and food industry. The Division facilitates the adoption of internationally.accepted food safety systems and standards in food production and processing, maintains a surveillance system that validates and continually improves food safety and animal health, minimizes the impact of animal diseases on public health, provides essential non-routine animal disease investigation services and plans for and responds to food safety and animal health emergencies.
The Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian (OCPV) is part of the Food Safety and Animal Health Division of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. The OCPV advocates the use of current scientific principles and information in the development of animal health legislation and disease control programs. The OCPV liaises with international, federal and other provincial governments, as well as industry on food animal health issues.
Information Technology Services
Information Technology Services works in partnership with program areas to optimize program delivery, contribute to business innovation and increase efficiencies by enabling modern technologies and through information management, as well as information sharing best practices. This work includes offering expertise and advice on the use and development of technology solutions. In addition, the Division provides the secure, robust and reliable technology infrastructure necessary to support the Ministry's requirements for electronic service delivery.
Information Management
Information Management Services provides the public access to information, decision-making tools, services and programs. Information can be accessed through the internet site www.agriculture.alberta.ca. The Division is responsible for the planning, development, organization, evaluation and delivery of information services including print and electronic publishing. The Division is responsible for administering the Department's records management program.
Regulatory Services
The Regulatory Services Division is responsible for validating the safe production of meat and meat products through provincially.licensed meat facilities, as well as ensuring compliance with assigned legislation. The Division is responsible for administering and providing support to 14 different statutes and 23 sets of regulations as well as for maintaining and enhancing public confidence by ensuring consistency and co-ordination through investigation and enforcement activities as required. The overview of Acts and Regulations assigned to RSD is available on-line for review.
Rural Utilities
The Rural Utilities Division administers the Rural Gas, Rural Electric and Remote Area Heating Allowance (RAHA) programs. The Rural Gas and Rural Electric programs are cost-shared programs that help defray the costs of constructing natural gas and electrical systems in rural areas. The RAHA program provides rebates on the cost of propane or fuel oil for individuals who are unable to obtain natural gas service at a reasonable cost.
The Division also administers the Rural Utilities Act, which provides the framework for the establishment and management of business affairs for approximately 280 rural gas, electric and water associations in the province. Additionally, the Division administers the Gas Distribution Act, which governs the establishment of franchise areas and standards setting relating to the design, construction, operation, maintenance, quality assurance and plant recordkeeping for rural gas utilities. |
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