In August 2007, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) announced that it would spend CAD 76 million over four years to combat disease in the hog sector.

At that time, the industry had been severely impacted by Porcine Circovirus Associated Diseases, or PCVAD, the term used to define the range of diseases affecting pigs that are associated with Pork Circovirus 2 (PCV2). The disease problems were mostly confined to Eastern Canada and caused additional death losses of approximately 1.75 million hogs.

Phase I of the programme, which was deemed to be a success, included the creation of the Circovirus Inoculation Program (CIP).

Through CIP, eligible producers received financial assistance towards the identification and mitigation of PCVAD to help off-set some of the costs of diagnostic fees and vaccines.

Since that time, Canadian hog death loss rates have fallen sharply.

Phase II, up to CAD 40 million will be directed at:

1. The creation of a national standard of biosecurity best management practices for the hog industry targeting the containment or eradication of Porcine Circovirus Associated Diseases (PCVAD)
2. Research projects and coordination of the reporting of research related to PCVAD and other emerging diseases within the Canadian hog herd, and
3. The establishment of long-term risk management solutions for the hog industry.

Further Reading

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Find out more information on Porcine Circovirus Associated Diseases (PCVAD) by clicking here.