Province investing $5 million to protect farms from animal diseases

PRINCE GEORGE — The Province is investing $5 million to help protect B.C. farms from animal diseases, including avian influenza, swine fever, and foot-and-mouth disease, to help support a resilient food supply for British Columbians.

Pam Alexis, B.C. Minister of Agriculture and Food, says that “this investment will provide B.C. farmers and ranchers with the support to plan and respond quicker and better to disease outbreaks,” and that “it is important that we continue to work together and stay vigilant to protect farmers and their animals, which protects B.C.’s economy and our food security.”

The ministry says that the funding “will help B.C. farmers plan, prepare, prevent, and mitigate for animal diseases on their farms and ranches and provide co-ordinated emergency planning and training for the livestock and poultry sector.”

According to the ministry, the funding will support industry associations with a variety of activities, including business planning, research, biosecurity measures and equipment purchases needed to respond to an animal disease outbreak.