Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit has announced $700,000 in funding to support swine disease mitigation efforts. Sask Pork will also be providing $300,000 toward a swine market disruption plan, which will help industry respond to potential market closures due to an animal health emergency event such as African swine fever.
"Mitigation of, preparedness for, and response to animal diseases are all critical factors in supporting the Saskatchewan swine industry," Marit said. "This funding will support a healthy hog sector and protect hog producers and abattoirs during potential market disruptions."
The funding will support the creation of a cull line at the sow processing facility Donald's Fine Foods is constructing in Moose Jaw. This would allow for humane slaughter of domestic hogs if a serious swine disease outbreak ever temporarily stopped trade.
"The pork industry has been working diligently on both prevention, such as biosecurity improvements, and preparedness, so infrastructure is in place to respond if African swine fever were to enter the country," Sask Pork Board Chair Toby Tschetter said. "We appreciate the collaboration with the provincial government and industry that made today's announcement possible."
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