November 16, 2007

Canada launches hog vaccination programme

Canada has launched the Circovirus Inoculation Programme to help address disease-associated mortality issues affecting hog herds in Canada, according to a release from Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Gerry Ritz Thursday (November 15, 2007).

"We are committed to helping Canadian hog producers combat disease and increase profitability in the hog sector," Ritz said. "That is why we are providing immediate financial assistance of $25 million to producers to test and vaccinate hogs in Canada and will continue to work with the industry to develop solutions to ensure the long-term viability of the sector."

While these diseases pose no risk to human health, the economic impacts on the Canadian swine industry have been extensive.

On August 20, 2007, the Canadian Government announced the contribution of $76 million over four years to combat disease and enhance prosperity and stability in the hog sector.

The CIP is the first phase of the initiative and will allow farmers to be reimbursed up to 50 percent for diagnostic testing and vaccination of hogs exposed to Porcine Circovirus Associated Diseases PCVAD2, an umbrella term used to identify a series of diseases brought on by exposure to the virus that can be fatal to hogs.

"The economic impacts on the Canadian swine industry have been severe," said Canadian Pork Council President Clare Schlegel in the release.

Consistent with the recommendations of an industry-government task team, the four-year initiative for the Control of Disease in the Hog Industry will focus on assisting producers and the industry in four areas: hog vaccination; research; bio-security and best management practices; and developing long-term risk management solutions.