Government Of Canada Launches Vaccination Program To Help Farmers Combat Disease In The Hog Sector

November 15, 2007

ST HYACINTHE, QUEBEC – 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 the launch of the Circovirus Inoculation Program (CIP) to help address disease-associated mortality issues affecting hog herds in Canada.

“We are committed to helping Canadian hog producers combat disease and increase profitability in the hog sector,” said Mr. Paradis. “That is why we are providing immediate financial assistance of $25 million to producers to test and vaccinate hogs in Canada and will continue to work with the industry to develop solutions to ensure the long-term viability of the sector.”

While these diseases pose no risk to human health, the economic impacts on the Canadian swine industry have been extensive. On August 20, 2007, Mr. Paradis, Secretary of State for Agriculture, on behalf of Minister Ritz, announced the contribution of $76 million over four years to combat disease and enhance prosperity and stability in the hog sector. The CIP is the first phase of the initiative and will allow farmers to be reimbursed up to 50 per cent for diagnostic testing and vaccination of hogs exposed to Porcine Circovirus Associated Diseases (PCVAD2), an umbrella term used to identify a series of diseases brought on by exposure to the virus that can be fatal to hogs.

“The economic impacts on the Canadian swine industry have been severe,” said Canadian Pork Council President Clare Schlegel. “We are pleased that funding is now available to offset some of the diagnostic and vaccine costs associated with PCVAD2 and encourage hog producers to apply.”

Consistent with the recommendations of an industry-government task team, the four-year initiative for the Control of Disease in the Hog Industry (CDHI) will focus on assisting producers and the industry in four areas: hog vaccination; research; bio-security and best management practices; and developing long-term risk management solutions. The Government of Canada is working closely with the hog industry through the Canadian Pork Council and the veterinary community to develop program details for the remaining three areas of the initiative.