Canadian hog farmers take precautions against PED viru

Jun 07, 2013

Canadian hog farmers take precautions against PED virus

Canadian pork producers are gathering information about how best to keep the U.S. outbreak of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) virus out of Canada. The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) along with the Canadian Swine Health Board (CSGB) called a national teleconference with over 115 people to obtain information on its spread in the U.S.

The PED virus has economic impacts on the hog industry due to the high mortality rate in pigs. The source of the disease and its spread is being investigated. It’s not yet known if the virus came to the U.S. from Asian or Europe. The first case was identified on May 16.

Jean-Guy Vincent, CPC President said that the industry must work together to prevent this threat. The teleconference provided an opportunity for the industry to understand the PED threat and discuss preventative measures. The teleconference included a variety of stakeholders, such as veterinarians, genetics experts, processors, animal health representatives, researchers and government officials.

Hog producers are asked to take extra vigilance when enforcing on-farm biosecurity especially ensuring trucks returning from the U.S. are disinfected properly. Canadians returning from the World Pork Expo in Des Monies, Iowa are asked to ensure they follow protocols to prevent the virus from spreading.

Video: Share the Road with Joseph Tyler of El-Vi Farms

No one expects tragedy on a routine drive home. But for farmers across New York, that is a daily fear.

In this emotional video, Joseph Tyler of El-Vi Farms, opens up about how this moment forever changed his family’s life. Farmers are so much more than their equipment. They have parents, siblings, children and friends anxiously waiting at home each night for their loved ones to walk through the door.

Before you pass a tractor or become frustrated behind a slow moving vehicle, we urge you to think of the people inside. Please, slow down and share the road responsibly so we can keep everyone safe.