The Canadian government has announced the implementation of a program to provide $25 million in financial assistance to pork producers to address issues associated with Porcine Circovirus Associated Diseases (PCVAD).
The Circovirus Inoculation Program (CIP) is the first phase of a $76 million government initiative, entitled Control of Disease in the Hog Industry (CDHI), to combat disease and enhance prosperity and stability in the hog sector. The program will allow farmers to be reimbursed up to 50 per cent for diagnostic testing and vaccination of hogs affected by PCVAD.
Applicants can receive up to 50 per cent of eligible expenses for diagnostic testing to a maximum of:
- $150 per test;
- $2,000 per fiscal year; and
- $4,000 over the life of the program.
Applicants can also receive up to 50 per cent of eligible expenses for vaccination to a maximum of:
- $1.00 per piglet; and
- $7.00 per gilt, sow and/or boar.
Retroactive payments are available for testing and vaccination that occurred from March 1, 2006 to present provided that:
- a certified laboratory validated a positive test for PCVAD2 in the applicant’s herd; and
- a vaccine licensed in Canada after March 1, 2006 was prescribed for herd treatment.
The maximum for all assistance under the program is $500,000 per applicant. CIP applications and additional information is available on the CIP website.
CDHI is a four-year initiative focusing on assisting producers and the industry in four areas: hog vaccination; research; bio-security and best management practices; and developing long-term risk management solutions.