New Brunswick Farmers Protest Vet Service Shutdown

0:00It's April 10th. I'm Cory with the story, and this is Calgary News Today, your AI-powered local news. New Brunswick's livestock groups are pushing back hard against the province's plan to shut down government-run veterinary and lab services for farms. The budget announcement calls for a three-year phase-out, shifting everything to private providers, but key players say they got zero input beforehand. A new coalition, the Agriculture Alliance of New Brunswick Industry VET and Lab Services Response Committee, just formed with nearly a dozen farm organizations. They're demanding a full pause on the changes until everyone sits down for real talks to ensure farmers keep access to essential animal care and diagnostics. Farmers like Dairy and Beef Producer Michael Boma are fired up, calling it straight up disrespectful with no transition plan in sight. Vets are worried, too, saying multiple farm business a day without subsidies will be impossible and losing the diagnostic lab could wreck rural, infrastructure.

1:01Agriculture Minister Pathfinnegan admits there was no upfront consultation with industry or private vets. He points to the three-year timeline as breathing room for discussions and notes recent meetings with the Alliance to hear their side. Industry leaders hope for a plan halt by months end, aiming to build a solid, funded model that works for everyone moving forward.