Canada and Manitoba governments support Squeal on Pigs
News release
April 23, 2024 – Brandon, Manitoba – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
The governments of Canada and Manitoba are providing financial support to Manitoba Pork’s Squeal on Pigs campaign, part of Manitoba’s commitment under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, and provincial Minister of Agriculture, Ron Kostyshyn, announced today.
As part of ongoing efforts by the Manitoba government to address invasive swine, the program will receive over $2.6 million of funding through Sustainable CAP. The Squeal on Pigs campaign is designed to help spread awareness of the significant issue of invasive wild pigs on Manitoba’s landscape and empowers Manitobans to spot wild pigs and report their movement.
The goal of the Squeal on Pigs campaign is to identify where wild pigs are in Manitoba, control their spread and remove as many pigs as possible from the landscape. This campaign is a collaborative program between Manitoba Pork, Manitoba Agriculture, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Manitoba Economic Development, Industry, Trade and Natural Resources, as well as with other local and national organizations who have a stake in this issue. It is an important part of government and industry’s efforts to reduce transmission of animal diseases that could cause significant economic damage to Manitoba’s livestock industry.
Manitobans are asked to report evidence of wild pig sightings or any signs of activity so that movements can be better tracked. Manitobans should not hunt wild pigs on their own, as hunting disperses wild pig populations over wider areas, changing movement patterns and harming control efforts, the ministers added.
Quotes
"Wild pigs can spread disease and cause serious damage to cropland and natural habitats. This vitally important campaign, backed by federal and provincial investments under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, will help manage the population of wild pigs and keep our land and livestock safe."
- The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
"Left unchecked, wild pigs pose a threat to the health of people and animals, and this program takes critical proactive measures to protect Manitobans and the province’s pork industry. This important initiative also addresses challenges caused by wild pigs to pastures, forages, crops and other parts of Manitoba’s agriculture sector."
- Ron Kostyshyn, Manitoba Minister of Agriculture
"Wild pigs continue to thrive across Manitoba and are vectors for many diseases that have a devastating impact on both domestic pigs as well as other animals. Together with our partners in both the federal and provincial governments, as well as our partners in Manitoba’s agricultural sector and stakeholders across the province, this new funding will help us further our efforts to track, trap, and remove wild pigs from the landscape and protect our province."
- Dr. Wayne Lees, project coordinator, Squeal on Pigs Manitoba
Quick facts
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The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a 5-year, $3.5-billion investment by Canada's federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment that is cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially-territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.
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Francis Chechile
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Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
francis.chechile@agr.gc.ca
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Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@agr.gc.ca
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