Private company to take over New Brunswick veterinary services next year
Starting next year, Hartland-based company Carleton AgriSolutions will take the reins of providing care for the province's livestock.
New Brunswick's provincial veterinary services are set to undergo a significant transformation next year. As of April 1, 2027, Hartland-based firm Carleton AgriSolutions will assume responsibility for the care of the province's livestock, working alongside current provincial veterinarians. The company, formerly known as NB Seed Grower Coop, is a seed wholesaler that also provides feed and farm supplies.
Carleton AgriSolutions' vice-president of sales and marketing, Peter Carpenter, clarifies that while they lack experience in delivering veterinary care, their role in this partnership will be facilitative, ensuring the necessary equipment and facilities for the veterinarians to carry out their duties.
The Nova Scotia government's decision to phase out provincial veterinary and veterinary laboratory services over three years, saving $4 million annually to address a $1.4-billion deficit, has sparked controversy and protests from industry members. Carleton AgriSolutions' vice-president of sales and marketing, Peter Carpenter, stresses the importance of announcing the transition now to allow the industry time to prepare, stating, "We can't wait until February to make an announcement.
It's not fair to industry, so we want to get it out that this is what we are looking at doing, what we are collaborating on and everyone’s intention is to get there."
Current provincial field veterinarian supervisor, Lisa Freeze, reports that the majority of the province's veterinarians plan to remain on staff until the end of March 2027, coinciding with the completion of the transition process. Agricultural Alliance of NB's president, Danielle Connell, acknowledges that while maintaining a government-funded service would have been ideal, the sector must adapt to the current reality of limited resources.
Connell expresses confidence in Carleton AgriSolutions' motivation to keep prices reasonable, stating that if they charge too much, no one will call, and dead animals will result, which is detrimental to their business.
The provincial government will contribute up to $1.2 million to support the transition.
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