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The deadly pig disease that has devastated China’s hog herd has been found in the Dominican Republic, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.

The USDA confirmed the presence of African swine fever (ASF) in the Caribbean country on July 28.

The discovery fuels concerns about the disease, which does not affect humans, entering mainland North America. Since spreading in China in 2018, the disease has been found in other parts of Asia and in Europe, but ASF hasn’t been found in the Northern Hemisphere in 40 years. There has never been any finding of ASF in Canada or the United States.

According to the Canadian Pork Council, a single positive case in Canada could result in the immediate suspension of pork and pig exports valued at over $5 billion in 2020, putting thousands of jobs at risk.

The positive samples in the Dominican Republic were found through an existing cooperative surveillance program, said the USDA.

Pork and pork products from the Dominican Republic are already banned from the U.S. as a result of existing classical swine fever restrictions. U.S. border authorities say they will also boost inspections of flights from the Dominican Republic.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency, meanwhile, said it is closely monitoring the situation in the Dominican Republic and working with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to strengthen the appropriate border controls for the Caribbean region. Canada does not import pork or pork products from the Dominican Republic.

Canadian officials have been working on ASF prevention and preparedness plans with their North American counterparts for several years. The issue has also been a priority for federal and provincial agriculture ministers in Canada, including during their most recent meeting earlier this month.

Canadian Pork Council chair Rick Bergmann, in a statement issued July 29, noted one outcome of the collaborative effort over the last few years was the quick decision by CBSA to add Dominican Republic to the list of countries that border officers are screening for ASF risks.

“While much progress has been made, there remain opportunities to eradicate wild pigs, enhance biosecurity and develop the response policies and programs that will be needed should there ever be a Canadian outbreak,” said Bergmann. “We look forward to collaborating with the Canadian government to further strengthen our capacity to maintain the health of our Canadian pig herd and pork industry.”

Related:

• Canadian pork industry committed to ASF prevention
• Modeling the potential implications of ASF moving into the U.S.

Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) says it is taking action to support livestock producers, by releasing the contents of a drought-survival proposal submitted to the provincial and federal governments this week.

“We greatly appreciate the measures Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada have implemented especially, the triggering of AgriRecovery assessments,” says Kelcy Elford, president of SSGA. “However, there is no end in sight for these extreme conditions. We need additional, immediate action to be taken, including an announcement of AgriRecovery programming to ensure that livestock producers are able to make critical, time-sensitive business decisions. We have been closely reviewing existing policy and programs that can be adapted. We have confidence in our government. They listen to and understand our problems and welcome actionable solutions.”

SSGA is encouraging both levels of government to work with grain companies to remove any barriers that are preventing the salvage of feed from forward-contracted crops.

SSGA is also recommending that governments collaborate with the shortline and national railway companies to find affordable transportation for relocating feed, feed grains, and by-products to deficit areas in the province.

SSGA is calling for additional changes to the Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program, Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation’s process for adjusting and pricing, as well as immediate changes for financial management and cash flow via the AgriInvest and AgriStability program, and payments to loans.

“With the extreme drought conditions present across the province, we are calling on the federal government to expand the Livestock Tax Deferral Program announced last week to a five-year program to include all classes of cattle and regions of Saskatchewan,” Elford adds.

A full list of drought resources can be found at the SSGA website, here.

The Farm Stress Line is free and confidential: 1-800-667-4442.

The Alberta government announced it will use $4.7 million from the TIER fund through Emissions Reduction Alberta to build a facility in Lethbridge to produce renewable fuel.

The Canary Biofuels facility, with an estimated worth of $28.6 million, will produce approximately 70 million litres of high-value renewable fuel. The facility is slated to be the first of its kind in Canada, turning local agricultural waste, inedible animal fats, and used cooking oil into biodiesel and glycerin.

The facility will buy more than $375 million of local feedstock from farmers over the next five years, the government estimates, generating about $500 million in revenue and supporting up to 130 local jobs in fields like engineering, construction and transportation.

It is proposed that the facility will also cut about 224,000 tonnes of emissions each year – the equivalent of reducing emissions from the electricity used by 41,000 homes.

Minister of Environment and Parks Jason Nixon says that Alberta is home to world-renowned expertise on cutting agricultural emissions, and the Canary Biofuels facility is another world-class project the government is supporting to diversify the economy and create jobs. “I’m pleased to see the expansion of another groundbreaking Alberta-based technology that is cutting emissions and getting Albertans back to work.”

“Canary Biofuels is Alberta’s first Generation 2 biodiesel producer with its flagship facility in Lethbridge,” says George Wadsworth, CEO of Canary Biofuels. “Canary is excited to lead the path in Alberta in abating emissions through sustainable waste-based biodiesel production that supports the energy and agriculture industries in Alberta and the Prairies. Canary would like to thank all its investors and partners, including the Government of Alberta, for their tremendous support. Canary is proud to support Alberta in creating new jobs and helping Alberta industry on its journey to net zero.”

The facility’s biodiesel will have up to one-third the carbon intensity of petroleum diesel. The renewable fuel produced at the facility has also been pre-sold to a Canadian supplier of biodiesel whose customers include fuel retailers, wholesalers, distributors, and fleet managers across Canada and the United States.

“Canary Biofuels will provide long-term diversified business opportunity for R.K. Heggie Grain and Transmark,” says Brent Peterson, vice president of transloading at Transmark/RK Heggie Grains. “Local canola producers will have direct market access to the growing biofuel industry, and the livestock industry will get a much-needed supply of canola meal. Canary Biofuels is natural fit with R.K. Heggie Grain and Transmark to provide the company with feedstock for the plant and rail infrastructure to the get finished product to international markets.”

The funding is part of the province’s commitment of up to $750 million for emissions reduction and economic diversification programs and projects through the TIER fund and other funding that will directly support about 9,000 jobs and inject $1.9 billion into Alberta’s economy.

Manitoba Harvest is partnering with a consortium of industry leaders through Protein Industries Canada (PIC) to develop new hemp and pea varieties with increased protein content, differential starch content, and improved texture.

Manitoba Harvest will lend its expertise in food innovation, product development, and formulation, to improve the potency and functionality of hemp and pea protein, making hemp proteins suitable for a wider range of food applications, according to a release.

“Diversity of ingredients within Canada’s plant-based foods and ingredients sector is an essential element of helping it grow to become a global leader,” says Bill Greuel, CEO of PIC. “Manitoba Harvest, through their partnership with NRGene, Farmer’s Business Network and Pulse Genetics, is displaying great leadership in the area of hemp ingredient development. The hemp-pea flour blend they develop through this project will go a long way in meeting the needs of consumers and food manufacturers alike.”

Jared Simon, president of Manitoba Harvest, says that they are committed to providing customers with the best hemp products available. “Developing plant-based protein products with superior taste, functionality and nutrition aligns perfectly with our objectives as a brand, and we have a history of leadership at the farm level, working directly with growers to improve quality throughout the hemp supply chain.”

NRGene, Farmer’s Business Network, Pulse Genetics, and Manitoba Harvest together have committed $3.3 million to the project, with Protein Industries Canada investing an additional $1.8 million.