British Columbia invests in disease protection

By Georgi Gyton

- Last updated on GMT

It is hoped the investment will reduce the risk of livestock diseases
It is hoped the investment will reduce the risk of livestock diseases
The governments of British Columbia and Canada have invested CD$613,050 on increased surveillance and preventive measures in order to reduce the risk of livestock diseases such as a Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea virus (PEDv) spreading to the region.

The funding was provided to the British Columbia Pork Producers Association (BCPPA), with immediate action to be taken to reduce the risk of PEDv reaching the Canadian province.

Action points include the implementation of enhanced biosecurity efforts at the two facilities that handle pigs from within and from outside British Columbia including livestock transport trucks and driver sanitation measures.

In addition, two pork processing facilities and 21 pork producing farms will be supported in developing response and containment plans to ensure rapid action should any cases of PEDv be discovered.

Enhanced auditing and the application of national standards for on-farm biosecurity will also be supported.

Canadian agriculture minister Gerry Ritz said: "Vigilance towards Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea is key to reducing its impact on the Canadian agricultural sector and the economy as a whole. This investment will provide the BCPPA with the tools and resources it needs to support producers and processors in improving biosecurity."

Jack Dewit, president of the BCPPA, added: "The province acted quickly to assist British Columbia pork producers in their efforts to keep Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea out of our province, and should we have an outbreak, to contain it.

"The health of our animals is absolutely paramount to British Columbia pork producers and these surveillance and preventative measures really help reduce the chances of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea arriving and spreading in our province. Some US farmers have been devastated by the outbreak of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea in their states, so British Columbia producers clearly recognize the value of the on-the-ground action and response plans this funding brings to us."

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