Saskatchewan Funding Aims to Prevent Spread of PEDv in Transport

There have been no confirmed cases of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) in Saskatchewan thus far, but that hasn’t stopped the province from reacting to its potential threat.

Earlier this week, the federal and provincial governments announced their support of the Saskatchewan Pork Development Board (SaskPork), with $150,000 in funding. The funding will help deliver a new phase in Saskatchewan Swine Biosecurity Program, which aims to prevent the spread of PEDv during transport of Saskatchewan hogs.

“We have been working with industry groups and producers to prevent the spread of PED in Saskatchewan,” said Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture, Lyle Stewart, in a release. “It is critical that this work continues. This funding will help to prevent PED from affecting our province’s swine herd.”

The $150,000 will help provide funding for education on transport biosecurity and truck wash and transport audits by certified veterinarians. Additionally, producers can access funding for up to $200 for follow-up veterinary visits and up to $700 for truck wash and transport audits.

Saskatchewan Swine On-Farm Biosecurity Program Application 2014

PEDv was first detected in the United States in May of 2013 and, in January, it was confirmed on a farm in southwestern Ontario. So far, over $1 million has been committed to PEDv surveillance, prevention and responce.

The swine biosecurity programs were introduced under Growing Forward 1 and Growing Forward 2.

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Related:

• Biosecurity Breaches A Problem As PED Pressure Builds Again
• PEDv UPDATE: The Limits of a Vaccine & the Risk of Contaminated Feed
  
• PEDv Crisis Underlines Need for Rural Vets