Ottawa backs national swine health surveillance project

By Your Southwest Media Group

The federal government is investing up to $3.1 million in a national effort to detect swine diseases faster and limit the damage when they hit.

Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald announced the funding Sept. 4 for the Canadian Pork Council through the AgriAssurance Program's national industry association component.

The money will go toward developing, validating and upgrading multiplex assay technology, lab tests that screen for several domestic swine viruses from a single sample. The project also includes a national proficiency program to keep testing consistent across Canadian veterinary labs, and a secure database to track swine viruses.

The goal is cheaper, faster and more accurate diagnostic testing for swine intestinal and respiratory viruses. The work is based at the Atlantic Veterinary College and involves veterinary practitioners, labs and industry.

Disease outbreaks hit animal welfare, food supply and productivity, and carry a financial and mental health toll on producers. Early detection limits the spread.

"Our pork producers care deeply about their animals and work hard to protect them against infectious diseases," MacDonald said. "By investing in swine health surveillance solutions, we are continuing to equip the industry with the tools it needs to detect and respond quickly."

Canadian Pork Council chair Rene Roy said early detection is one of the strongest defences producers have.

"This $3.1 million investment will improve the speed, accuracy, and coordination of swine health surveillance by advancing innovative diagnostic tools, nationally consistent testing, and secure data systems," Roy said.

Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada