Pork producers in Canada are committing new producer levies to fund a national animal health initiative according to the Canadian Pork Council (CPC).
The focus of the initiative will be to bring key players together to collaborate on efforts across Canada to “limit the spread of viruses like PEDv, increase communication and monitor surveillance activities”.
Originally proposed by the CPC, and debated during a major industry meeting in November 2014, the levy plan has been discussed since then by the federation of nine provincial pork industry associations, which come together under the CPC banner.Â
The positive federation response to the initiative was welcomed by CPC’s Chair, Jean Guy Vincent, with the comment: “There is no pause in the fight to safe guard the health status of our industry.”
Senior CPC staff from across Canada met before the Christmas/New Year holidays to “strategise on the next steps” and to reinforce the importance of biosecurity.
“The pork industry has worked together to improve biosecurity and taken every step possible to stop the spread of PEDv and to eliminate this virus from Canada,” said Mr Vincent. “Producers should be commended for investing in the national animal health initiative and believe this effort complements the many activities taking place at a provincial level across Canada.”