June 8, 2015 – Swift Current, Saskatchewan – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Today, the federal and provincial governments launched the new online Saskatchewan Premises Identification (PID) Database to improve the response to and prevention of livestock emergencies.
The PID program links livestock and poultry to specific land locations by assigning a unique number to each registered premises, and is an important part of planning for and managing animal health and environmental emergencies. The database will aid in rapidly notifying producers of disease threats and other potential disasters, as well as in dispatching emergency resources to appropriate locations.
PID is one of three pillars of a livestock traceability system, which also includes animal identification and animal movement reporting. The PID Database has seen significant support from Saskatchewan's livestock industry. To date, approximately 1,400 producers have registered. Commodity groups have also worked with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture to complete the registration of their members.
Registration for the PID Database can be completed online. There are no costs associated with registering a premises, and producers' information will only be used in the event of an emergency.
The PID Database is funded through Growing Forward 2, a cost-shared partnership between federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) governments designed to support an innovative, competitive and profitable Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector. Saskatchewan's database was based off of a model generously provided by the Government of Alberta.
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
Sarah Hein
Agriculture
Regina
306-787-5389
sarah.hein@gov.sk.ca
306-527-9102 (cellular)
