Harper Government Supports New Animal Health Control Strategies

News Release

December 18, 2014 - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Member of Parliament (MP) Brad Trost (Saskatoon—Humboldt) today announced an investment of $260,000 to the Saskatchewan Pork Development Board (Sask Pork) to help control two diseases that threaten swine and beef herds in Canada.

The research will target Brachyspira hampsonii, a recently discovered bacterium that causes diarrhea and colitis in pigs. Scientists will also seek to gain a better understanding of bovine genital campylobacteriosis (BCG) or “vibriosis” that can significantly reduce pregnancy rates among breeding cattle. Both studies will include diagnostics, surveillance and trials involving live animals.

Quick Facts

Sask Pork was established in 1998, representing a cross-section of the hog industry in Saskatchewan.
Brachyspira hampsonii was recently discovered in Western Canada and is known to affect feeding and growth rates in pigs.
A recent outbreak of BCG in a Saskatchewan beef herd reduced pregnancy rates by 16 to 62 per cent.
Sask Pork will have input from the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association and the research will be conducted by a team of scientists at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine.
This investment is made through the Industry-led Research and Development stream of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s AgriInnovation Program, a five-year, up to $698-million program under Growing Forward 2.

Quotes

“Our Government recognizes the importance of the swine and beef sectors to the Canadian economy. This investment will help enhance the competitiveness of both these industries by expanding diagnostic and control tools available to producers.”
- MP Brad Trost

“Brachyspira hampsonii is an emerging swine disease in western Canada which needs to be better understood and controlled because it is very hard to eliminate from a herd when infected. BCG also has the potential to seriously reduce the calf crop in the important western cattle herd, so we welcome the AgriInnovation Program funding to develop products to control these serious threats.”
- Florian Possberg, Sask Pork Chairman

Additional Links

Growing Forward 2 Growing Forward 2 (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
AgriInnovation Program Growing Forward 2 (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
Sask Pork

Media Contacts

Emily Hogeveen
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
Follow us on Twitter: @AAFC_Canada

Kim Browne
Communications & Promotion
Sask Pork
306-343-3506

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Harper Government Supports New Animal Health Control Strategies

News Release

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