Ontario pork producers will be better positioned to maintain viability and profitability when responding to foreign animal disease outbreaks thanks to a new investment aimed at improving the industry’s disease emergency response system. Member of Parliament Gary Schellenberger (Perth-Wellington), on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, announced that the Ontario Pork Industry Council (OPIC) will receive an investment of $175,000 to improve and address any potential gaps in the Ontario pork industry’s emergency response system.
Working with Ontario Pork and the sector, OPIC will develop the disease emergency response plan for the Ontario pork industry. Project activities include clarifying roles and responsibilities, developing communications networks, and assessing the role of traceability in emergency preparedness. The plan will help coordinate and complement existing federal and provincial government programs and improve industry communications across the country.
In 2009, Ontario’s pork industry contributed $4 billion and 27,000 jobs from farm to fork in the Canadian economy.
Source and additional information:
Marketwire – April 13, 2010