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Canada?s new Government Announces $76 Million to Combat Disease in the Hog Sector

August 22, 2007 — 

The Honourable Christian Paradis, Secretary of State for Agriculture, on behalf of the Honorable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, today announced that Canada's New Government is contributing $76 million over four years to combat disease and enhance prosperity and stability in the hog sector.

"Canada's New Government is committed to ensuring the profitability of the Canadian hog sector," said Secretary of State Paradis. "We recognize the challenges that producers are facing and through this initiative we will work with industry and veterinarians to give producers the necessary tools to aggressively combat these diseases."

Porcine Circovirus Associated Diseases (PCVAD) are severely affecting the Canadian swine industry, with incidences increasing across Canada.

Consistent with the recommendations of an industry-government task team, the four-year program will focus on assisting producers and the industry in four areas. They are herd inoculation, research, bio-security best management practices and finding long-term risk management solutions. Canada's New Government will continue to work closely with the hog industry through the Canadian Pork Council and the veterinary community to develop program details for each of these four areas.

Canadian Pork Council President Clare Schlegel is pleased by today's announcement. "We applaud Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for recognizing the critical role that good animal health plays in our sector, as well as the serious challenges hog producers are currently facing. While these diseases did not pose a food safety risk, they have had severe economic impacts on our producers."

He adds, "We thank AAFC for its support of our industry. We look forward to working with AAFC to address disease threats, which will help to ensure our industry remains competitive."

For more details, visit the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada website.