David Schmidt, a GIS Analyst at the CFIA, uploading data from global position system (GPS) handheld units used in a plum pox virus surveillance exercise in 2010.
By Bruce Craig and Delanie Khan-Dobson
This blog post was originally published to Cultivating Science on science.gc.ca.
When it comes to pin-pointing sources of foodborne illness, tracking detections of a new invasive plant pest, or studying the spread of an animal disease, geographic data is a powerful tool that helps the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) respond effectively to challenges and emergencies.
The CFIA's adoption of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technologies has revolutionized how the Agency can better understand and protect Canada's incredibly diverse landscape. GIS specialists take information from reports and spreadsheets to create accessible maps and databases that provide a much clearer picture of the complex relationships between activities and products.
GIS specialists are often working behind the scenes, but their knowledge and expertise are incredibly helpful in supporting the CFIA's mandate to proactively address potential risks, monitor disease outbreaks, and safeguard our food.
Continue reading to learn more.
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