Canadian Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz has announced investments of nearly $2 million to strengthen traceability and biosecurity in Canada’s pork industry. Minister Ritz made the announcement at the Canada Pork International Annual Meeting in Toronto.
The Canadian Pork Council will receive up to $1.6 million towards the ongoing maintenance and implementation of PigTrace Canada, an industry-led national swine traceability system. The Canadian Swine Health Board (CSHB) will receive up to $351,000 in additional federal funding to assist the industry with the long-term management of swine health issues and the prevention of the porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus.
“The Canadian pork industry is a key driver of jobs and economic growth across the country. Supported by governments and producers, these industry-led organizations are leading the development of world-class traceability and animal health systems that will help secure Canada’s reputation for producing safe, high-quality food,” said Ritz.
The news of the government investment was welcomed by the Canadian Pork Council (CPC).
“This funding will go a long way in helping the pork industry continue its implementation of a world class traceability system and making traceability a feasible and valuable tool for Canadian producers,” said Normand Martineau, chair of the CPC Traceability Implementation Committee.
