Animal Health Canada receives $1.7M for livestock disease prevention and preparedness

The Government of Canada has announced funding of up to $1,697,850 to Animal Health Canada to support their role in foreign animal disease prevention and preparedness efforts in Canada, including for African swine fever (ASF) and Food and Mouth Disease (FMD).

Animal Health Canada brings together the agriculture industry, and federal, provincial, and territorial partners to provide input on an animal health and welfare system in Canada.

Animal Health Canada is a key partner for our beef industry efforts to prevent and prepare against the threat of Foreign Animal Diseases. This investment in Foot and Mouth Disease is an important step forward in this collaboration.

Leigh Rosengren, Animal Health and Care Lead, and Chief Veterinary Officer with the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA)

With an investment of $999,990 from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) African Swine Fever Industry Preparedness Program (ASFIPP), Animal Health Canada will continue its coordination role in prevention efforts while working to minimize the potential impact of an ASF outbreak on Canada’s swine industry. This includes providing the African swine fever Executive Management Board (ASF EMB) with support for the prevention and control of ASF through coordination of wild pig management activites, industry stop-movement protocols, partner roles and responsibilities Indigenous engagement and the development of ASF resources and plans.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is providing a contribution of $697,950 to Animal Health Canada through its Federal Assistance Program (FAP) to support ongoing efforts over the next two years aimed at advancing preparedness for ASF and FMD. This funding will facilitate the analysis of surveillance data, critical training, further definition of stakeholder roles and responsibilities in responding to outbreaks, and the development of a vaccine strategy in the event of an FMD outbreak in Canada. Additionally, it will enable preparations and exercises in advance of potential ASF or FMD outbreak.