Harper Government Invests to Strengthen Canada's Pork Sector

News Release

12 February, 2015 – Toronto, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz today announced investments of nearly $2 million to strengthen traceability and biosecurity in Canada’s pork industry. Minister Ritz made the announcement at the Canada Pork International Annual Meeting in Toronto.

The Canadian Pork Council will receive up to $1.6 million towards the ongoing maintenance and implementation of PigTrace Canada, an industry-led national swine traceability system. The Canadian Swine Health Board (CSHB) will receive up to $351,000 in additional federal funding to assist the industry with the long-term management of swine health issues and the prevention of the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv).

Quick Facts

The investment in PigTrace is being made through the AgriMarketing Program, a five-year, up to $341-million initiative under Growing Forward 2. This investment builds on funding previously received through Growing Forward.
Effective July 1, 2014, federal regulations have made swine traceability mandatory in Canada.
A federal investment of over $29 million through the Canadian Swine Health Board (CSHB) helped the industry prepare to mitigate risks related to swine diseases, including the development and implementation of on-farm biosecurity standards and best management practices. Through this investment, over 90% of Certified Quality Assurance hog production sites across Canada received training on the Farm-Level Biosecurity Standard to increase awareness and encourage producers to implement best management practices and manage disease risks on farm.

Quote

“The Canadian pork industry is a key driver of jobs and economic growth across the country. Supported by governments and producers, these industry-led organizations are leading the development of world-class traceability and animal health systems that will help secure Canada’s reputation for producing safe, high-quality food.”
– Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz

“Today’s announcement will go a long way in helping the pork industry continue its implementation of a world class traceability system and making traceability a feasible and valuable tool for Canadian producers.”
– Canada Pork Council’s Traceability Implementation Committee Chair Normand Martineau

“Minister Ritz and the federal government have been strong partners in the pork industry’s efforts to minimize the risk to Canada’s excellent swine health status and these initiatives will continue to build and further strengthen the industry”
– Canadian Swine Health Board Chair Brian Sullivan

Additional links

Growing Forward 2 (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
AgriMarketing Program (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
Canadian Pork Council
PigTrace
Canada Pork International
Canadian Swine Health Board

Contacts

Jeff English
Director of Communications
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

Gary Stordy
Manager, Public Relations
Canadian Pork Council
613-236-9239 x277
Fax: 613-236-6658

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Harper Government Invests to Strengthen Canada's Pork Sector

News Release

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