Governments of Canada & Ontario investing against African swine fever

Mar 14, 2022

New program aims to help Ontario pig sector protect itself from ASF.

With a global pandemic revolving ASF (African swine fever), the Canadian and Ontario governments have earmarked $3.2 million for the Enhanced Biosecurity for African Swine Fever Preparedness Initiative under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

The partnership plan is to reduce the likelihood of the introduction of ASF into Ontario. This intake will assist producers, processors and other agri-businesses across Ontario's pork value chain by cost-sharing certain expenses related to biosecurity improvements and ASF prevention and preparedness activities.

Successful applicants will receive 50 percent of the verified eligible expenses incurred and paid, up to a maximum amount of $40,000 for these eight categories:

Education, Training, Assessment, and Planning
Defining Zones and Controlled Access Points
Establishing Cleaning and Disinfecting Practices
Establishing Isolation or Segregation Facilities
Preventing Access by Wildlife, Pests, and Rodents
Health Management
Establishing Facilities to Manage Deadstock
Equipment and Services

Those eligible for the funding are:

a producer that is a legal entity that raises, owns or houses pigs;
a Processor Business that is involved directly in the slaughter of pigs – this is an eligible processor business registered under the federal Safe Food for Canadians Act or is a licensed abattoir under the Ontario provincial Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001;
an agri-business, other than a producer or processer business, that is a legal entity operating an established commingling facility for pigs, such as assembly yards, sales barns, auction markets (including facilities licenced under the Livestock Community Sales Act), fairs, exhibitions, community pastures, trucking rest stations, transporters, and veterinary clinics.

To find out how you may be eligible, and for more information, visit: www.omafra.gov.on.ca.