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Tag Archives biosecurity — page 6

There’s international and cross-Canada work being done to plan for a potential outbreak of ASF.
News

Players confident with ASF outbreak response plan

Plan offers a “test” for potential new organization

By
Glacier FarmMedia – The federal government and industry partners have expressed confidence in plans to prevent and, if needed, combat an outbreak of African swine fever on Canadian soil. Beyond working with the United States and Mexico, Canada has partnered with the provinces and industry groups to come up with an action plan for ASF. […] Read more
(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)
Livestock

Ontario offers cash for abattoir upgrades

Applications now being accepted through April

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Ontario’s 123 provincially-licensed abattoirs can now start applying for a piece of $2 million in federal/provincial funding to step up food safety, biosecurity and animal welfare measures. The Ontario and federal governments on Wednesday announced applications for cost-share funding can be submitted between now and April 30, “as long as funding for the initiative is […] Read more
A well-designed trailer provides maximum clearance, adequate ventilation, reasonable loading angles, rounded corners and non-slip floors.
Livestock

Improved trailers good for livestock welfare

There’s a lot of innovation happening in livestock trailers and they make for healthier animals

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Glacier FarmMedia – Livestock transportation is a heavily regulated industry and new technology should make life easier for haulers and animals. Innovative designs are becoming more available in North America, especially for trailers designed to haul pigs and chickens, said Jeff Hill, animal welfare specialist with Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions. Why it matters: Animal […] Read more
Hogs on a stock trailer bound for a Toronto packing plant accept drinks from Toronto Pig Save members in 2013. (Screengrab of Toronto Pig Save video via YouTube)
Livestock, Machinery

Ontario draws new legal lines against on-farm trespass

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Ontario has introduced a legislative package setting up new legal boundaries around livestock in that province, whether on farms or in transit. The Security From Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, introduced Monday by Agriculture Minister Ernie Hardeman, is expected to “address the unique risks and challenges associated with trespass onto a farm or into […] Read more
Those who manage biosecure livestock barns are careful to have visitors suit up properly, but statistics show employees might not be as careful when entering and leaving barns.
Livestock

Food safety starts with biosecurity

A University of Montreal study of poultry farms showed biosecurity mistakes can lead to contamination throughout a barn

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Glacier FarmMedia – Many food safety issues could be resolved at the farm if people changed their behaviour, a veterinarian told those attending a recent meat conference in Toronto. “Some food safety risks could be better controlled early in the food production chain,” said Manon Racicot. The spread of campylobacter, for example, could be curbed […] Read more
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney steps up to speak at Jumbo Valley Hutterite Colony on Oct. 3, 2019. (Video screengrab from Alberta.ca via YouTube)
Livestock

Alberta proposes heavier penalties for on-farm trespassing

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Alberta’s government proposes to discourage future on-farm protests — events in the style of an occupation held early last month at an Alberta Hutterite colony’s turkey farm — on pain of new penalties. Speaking Thursday at the Jumbo Valley colony near Fort Macleod, Premier Jason Kenney, Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer and Agriculture Minister Devin Dreeshen […] Read more
A lack of reporting by farmers contributed to the rapid spread of an outbreak of Newcastle disease in California.
Livestock

Biosecurity key in preventing spread of poultry disease

Lessons learned from U.S. and Canadian outbreaks

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Strict adherence to biosecurity protocols was a common denominator as guest speakers offered insight into recent poultry disease outbreaks in Canada and the United States, during meetings hosted by the Poultry Industry Council (PIC). During the organization’s annual research day in early May, and at the annual health day in late June, attendees were provided […] Read more
A macrophage (immune response) cell in early stages of infection with African swine fever virus, magnified about 1,000x. (Keith Weller photo courtesy ARS/USDA)
Livestock

China’s cabinet sees ‘shortcomings’ in bid to contain swine fever

Beijing | Reuters — China has shown shortcomings in some aspects of preventing African swine fever, and the situation remains complicated and severe, the country’s cabinet said Wednesday. The management of transporting live hogs is not strict enough, while there is insufficient capacity in testing for African swine fever virus in hog slaughtering, processing and […] Read more
A barn marked with a Be Seen Be Safe notification.
Livestock, News

Ontario technology to track poultry production systems in Alberta

The goal of Be Seen Be Safe technology is to minimize disease spread

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With the threat of African swine fever hanging over the pork industry and a devastating new tomato virus just discovered in Ontario for the first time, the need for biosecurity in the agriculture sector has never been stronger. Hand in hand is the ability to quickly and easily track movement on and off farms, which […] Read more

Cyber-Savvy Farmer

Glacier Farmmedia Podcast