December 13, 2021

Funds to support development of Canada's pork industry, help farms deal with ASF

An investment of more than $4.6 million will go to three projects to grow Canada's pork industry and help farms in the country face the threat of African swine fever (ASF).

Through an investment of more than $3.2 million, Canada Pork International will undertake export market development initiatives to maintain and improve access to international markets and develop promotional activities and tools to increase market share in priority markets.

Funding of more than $550,000 will support the Canadian Pork Council's national marketing activities to increase consumption and value domestically. This funding will also support the council's work to enhance international relationships and coordination with members across the value chain. These projects are supported under the federal AgriMarketing Program.

Marie-Claude Bibeau, Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, also announced an additional $850,000 for the council to help the industry prevent and prepare for ASF. This builds on previously announced funding of more than $3.8 million for the Canadian Pork Excellence platform, which integrates three principal on-farm programmes: PigSAFE, a food safety and biosecurity programme; PigCARE, an animal care programme; and PigTRACE, a traceability programme. These projects are funded through the federal AgriAssurance Program.

- Government of Canada