Dr. Dan Hurnik of AVC wins national award

(Ottawa, Ontario) December 3, 2012 – The Canadian Animal Health Coalition (CAHC) is honoured to name Dr. Daniel Hurnik of Charlottetown, PEI as this year’s recipient of the Carl Block Award. Through his hard work and dedication, Dr. Hurnik has made many significant contributions to the Canadian swine industry and to veterinary medicine around the world.

As a key founder of the Canadian Swine Health Board (CSHB), Dr. Hurnik was instrumental in developing a national response to the Circovirus outbreak of 2004-2005. A technical consultant to the CSHB, he has provided expertise for projects dealing with pig health surveillance, preparedness for emerging disease outbreaks, and the development of tools to assist in the early detection of new diseases. Highly respected as a leader and researcher, he has truly served to advance the mission of the CSHB, which is to “provide leadership and coordination in support of the management of the health of the Canadian swine herd”.

As a founder of the Atlantic Swine Research Partnership (ASRP), Dr. Hurnik has contributed to the development of the Canadian Pork Council’s HACCP-based on-farm food safety program as well as the implementation of the new national swine traceability program, which will play a key part in Canada’s risk mitigation of foreign animal disease. His ability to consider the long term competiveness of the pork industry has led him to play countless roles in dealing with the management, control and prevention of infectious disease outbreaks in the industry.

Recognized not only in Canada but also internationally as a leader in disease management strategies, Dr. Hurnik has acted as Veterinary Consultant to the World Bank, as a key player in the development of plans to manage and contain the African Swine Fever outbreak of 2007-2008. Additionally, his exceptional leadership and organizational abilities have allowed him to provide technical expertise to the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Atlantic Veterinary College.

“On behalf of the CAHC, I am truly pleased to recognize Dr. Hurnik and his outstanding leadership and contributions to the Canadian animal health system,” says Rick McRonald, Chair of the CAHC.

The Carl Block Award is named in honour of the late Carl Block, a cattleman whose dedication to Canadian agriculture and commitment to animal health will long be remembered. Carl was the first chair of the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency as well as a Director of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, the inaugural Chair of CAHC, and former President of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association.