Regina, Saskatchewan – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Today, the federal and provincial governments announced $150,000 in funding for the Saskatchewan Pork Development Board (SaskPork) to deliver a new phase in the Saskatchewan Swine Biosecurity Program. This phase aims to prevent the spread of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) during transport of Saskatchewan hogs.

This investment provides funding for truck wash and transport audits performed by certified veterinarians, and provides education on transport biosecurity. As well, producers can access funding for follow-up veterinary visits to assess biosecurity protocols that were implemented during previous phases of the program. Eligible producers will receive up to $700 for truck wash and transport audits, and up to $300 for a follow-up veterinarian visit.

Over $1 million has been committed for PED prevention, surveillance and response through the swine biosecurity programs introduced under Growing Forward 1 in 2012 and under Growing Forward 2 in early 2014.

To date, there have been no confirmed cases of PED in Saskatchewan.

The Saskatchewan Swine Biosecurity Program is funded in part 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.

Quotes

"Continued vigilance against PED is necessary to ensure any risk for the sector is diminished. This next phase of programming will help the Saskatchewan pork industry to continue to stay in front of this disease."

- Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz

"We have been working with industry groups and producers to prevent the spread of PED in Saskatchewan. It is critical that this work continues. This funding will help to prevent PED from affecting our province's swine herd."

- Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture Lyle Stewart