With PED continuing to spread in Canada and the United States, Alberta Pork has stepped up their efforts to help producers protect their herds. Over the last two months, Alberta Pork and industry experts have spoken face-to-face with over 400 producers and industry partners, and communicated with more than 1,000 people on large-scale conference calls.
Alberta Pork has also created a comprehensive PEDv portal on its website, offering a wealth of information on disease prevention including general biosecurity, truck wash protocols, cold weather disinfecting, and detergents and disinfectants. You can also find daily updates on the situation across Canada and recordings and transcripts from their PEDv telephone town hall meetings.
“We’re working hard to arm producers with as much information as possible,” said Fitzgerald. “The more you know about your enemy, the better your chances of winning the war. And this is one fight that producers can’t afford to lose.”
Alberta Pork is working with other provincial pork organizations, the Growing Forward II program, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development staff, private veterinarians, and the Canadian Swine Health Board in an effort to provide the best information to producers. They’re also offering regular updates to producers through their website, E-newsletter and weekly reports with the latest developments and prevention tips.
“It’s a real tribute to the efforts of producers, veterinarians and government that we’ve managed to keep PEDv out of Alberta,” said Fitzgerald. “The key now is to avoid complacency; to continue being vigilant about biosecurity and to make it a part of your routine practice. That’s the only way to protect our industry for the long term.”
Source: Albertapork