Canada Increases Defence Against African Swine Disease

Aug 07, 2023

The Government of Canada is giving $944,340 to Manitoba's Pork Group. This large amount of money is set aside for the African Swine Disease Industry Ready Program. Canada's pork industry is a big part of the nation's exports, valued at $4.8 billion in 2022.

The goal is to be prepared for the possible arrival of the dangerous African Swine Fever (ASF) in Canada.

"We will keep working hard to protect the pork industry and make sure it stays strong if an outbreak happens," says Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Food.

"African Swine disease is a huge risk to our province's Swine business," warns Rick Préjet, Chair of Manitoba Pork.

As many farmers will know, this disease is a catching and deadly virus that attacks both farm and wild hogs. Even though it's deadly to pigs, it doesn't harm people.

It's been spreading since 2018, moving through Asia and Europe, recently showing up in the Caribbean. So far, Canada and the U.S. have stayed free from it.

Manitoba's Pork Group will use the money to start several projects, including controlling wild hog numbers, making a combined response plan focusing on animal care and disease control.. It will also push for better health safety measures and increase awareness of biosecurity protocols with farmers – large and small.

Video: Ice Makes Reorganizing & Moving Sheep Hazardous!

Ice makes reorganizing the sheep barns and moving sheep in preparation for lambing very hazardous - it looks more like sheep skating in an ice rink than walking in a barnyard! But, lambing season is quickly approaching, and we have the final group of ewes that require vaccinating prior to lambing, the last breeding rams need to be removed from breeding groups and tattooed, and the barns all need reorganizing to accommodate the new lambs that will be arriving shortly. So, in today’s sheep farming vlog at Ewetopia Farms, we can no longer wait for better weather conditions and must brave the treacherous ice and hope no one gets injured! This is Canadian sheep farming!