Agriculture sector receives funding focusing on emergency preparedness

The agriculture sector has faced a number of challenges over the last few years  from a global pandemic to floods, droughts and wildfires.

Federal  Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau has announced an investment of over $3 million for two projects to enhance emergency management, develop risk assessments and strategies to mitigate disease outbreaks.

 Animal Health Canada will receive over $2.5 million dollars in funding through the AgriAssurance Program for a three year project to enhance Animal Health Emergency Management in provincial and national associations. 

The project will help enhance the emergency management capabilities of Canada's livestock and poultry industries, to remain ready in the face of adverse events and a continually evolving disease landscape. 

Melanie Barnham, Executive Director Animal Health Canada says now more than ever, we need to ensure we are doing everything we can to support animal health and welfare.

 "As we enter into the last year of this project, we're excited to continue working with producer groups in Canada to deliver capacity building resources and training to prepare for and minimize the impact of emergencies. "

The other project sharing in the funding is  Swine Innovation Porc which will receive over $446 thousand dollars under the Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program.

The funding will be used to develop strategies to mitigate the impact of an African swine fever outbreak on the pork sector, and help the industry prepare and manage surplus animals during a potential disease outbreak.

René Roy, Vice-Chair Swine Innovation Porc says past experience has demonstrated the importance of emergency preparedness to respond and recover from disruptive events.

"The Swine Innovation Porc welcomes the support of the Government of Canada in supporting new initiatives to develop innovative methods to face food supply threats such as African Swine Fever outbreak."
 
Minister Bibeau says Emergency Preparedness Week is an opportunity to review our emergency preparedness plans in the agricultural sector. 

"The weather events of the past year and the avian flu we are currently experiencing are some examples of the many kinds of challenges agricultural producers must be ready to face. Our government continues to improve its practices, invest in prevention and support those who ensure our food security."

Bibeau notes producers also have access to the Business Risk Management programs to help them manage risks on their farms. 

Last month, the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Agriculture Ministers agreed to extend the enrollment deadline for AgriStability to June 30, 2022.

AgriStability is designed to help protect producers against large declines in farming income for reasons such as production loss, disease outbreak, increased costs and changing market conditions.