February 18, 2015
Canada's pork industry receives biosecurity funding
The Canadian pork industry will receive CA$2 million funding from the government, aimed at improving its traceability and biosecurity measures.
The announcement was made by agriculture minister Gerry Ritz at the Canada Pork International Annual Meeting in Toronto.
The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) will receive up to CA$1.6 million for ongoing maintenance and implementation of PigTrace Canada - an industry-led national swine traceability system. Additionally, the Canadian Swine Health Board (CSHB) will receive up to CA$351,000, to assist with the long-term management of swine health issues and the prevention of porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus.
Normand Martineau, CPC's traceability implementation committee chair, said, "Today's announcement will go a long way in helping the pork industry continue its implementation of a world-class traceability system and making traceability a feasible and valuable tool for Canadian producers."
Brian Sullivan, chair of the CSHB, added, "Minister Ritz and the federal government have been strong partners in the pork industry's efforts to minimise the risk to Canada's excellent swine health status and these initiatives will continue to build and further strengthen the industry."
(CA$1 = US$0.81)