February 18, 2022

Canada to fund two swine health projects

The Canadian federal government and Manitoba province are set to fund two projects that aim to protect swine health and manage disease in the pork sector, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

Derek Johnson, the Manitoba Agriculture Minister said the partnership will see CND 680,900 (~US$536,000; CND 1 = US$0.79) in funding under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership allocated to support two projects. One is aimed at eliminating diseases spread by invasive swine, and another on surveillance for diseases at high-traffic facilities.

He said the projects will result in rapid disease detection, faster response times, and as a result, lowers adverse effects to the swine industry's health, welfare, and trade aspects.

Manitoba's swine industry is worth CND 1.1 billion (~US$866 million). 90% of pork produced in the province is exported. Manitoba sold over 8.2 million swine in 2020.

Johnson said the projects are proactive efforts to assist with any future trade issues that could happen in the future.

The eradication project could alleviate the spread of swine-related diseases such as African swine fever, which has spread throughout Asia and Europe.

Johnson also said Manitoba province is developing a draft strategy for managing invasive swine, and will be obtaining feedback from the swine sector, interest groups, and the public. The surveillance project is an extension of the province's efforts to address the risk of porcine epidemic diarrhoea.

-      Canadian Broadcasting Corporation