Farmscape for February 25, 2019

Canada's Agriculture Minister says the Government of Canada is prepared to consider every option for keeping African Swine Fever out of Canada and to be prepared if it does come in.
Concerns related to the risks posed by African Swine Fever were among the topics covered during a USDA Outlook Panel Discussion last week in which Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food took part.
Lawrence MacAulay told reporters participating in a conference call Friday we don't want to create fear but African Swine Fever a major problem in China and it's now into Vietnam and other countries in Asia.

Clip-Lawrence MacAulay-Canada Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food:
This is a devastating disease for the hog industry.
It does not affect human health but it's a very big problem.
I contacted Secretary Perdue a few weeks ago on this issues and of course my intent is to do something before it happens here in order to work together, possibly to create zones in North America, knowing full well that the  Japanese importers of pork need to accept this.
What I want to happen is be as ready as we can should it happen here.
There's things taking place.
We are posting more on social media, posting in airports, increasing fines for anybody that tries to import meat in from these countries.
It is an issue that we are looking at in a very serious manner understanding the devastating effect it can have should it enter this country and some people say when it enters this country but I hope it never comes.
We're open to anything else.
You can not assure anybody that things will not happen but I know this is serious.
I want to do everything I can to prevent it and to be ready if it happens.

MacAulay says in addition to stepping up vigilance at points of entry, the Government of Canada is working to put in place similar security measures for importing plant based animals feeds and to make sure none of these feeds come in through the back door.
For Farmscape.Ca, I'm Bruce Cochrane.

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