The Canadian government launched the Circovirus Inoculation Program (CIP) on Nov. 15 to help pork producers affected by disease-associated mortality losses.
“We are committed to helping Canadian hog producers combat disease and increase profitability in the hog sector,” says Christian Paradis, secretary of state. “That is why we are committing immediate financial assistance of $25 million to producers to test and vaccinate hogs in Canada and will continue to work with industry to ensure the long-term viability of the sector.”
Earlier, the Canadian government announced the availability of $76 million over four years to combat disease and enhance prosperity and stability in the hog sector.
CIP is the first phase of this overall initiative that allows farmers to be reimbursed up to 50% for diagnostic testing and vaccination of hogs exposed to porcine circovirus-associated disease (PCVAD).
The four-year assistance program covers four areas: vaccination, research, biosecurity and development of best management practices.
Application forms for CIP are being mailed to all Canadian pork producers identified through industry and government client lists.
The deadline to apply for CIP assistance is Dec. 31, 2008.
