A new $5 million fund announced Thursday in Chilliwack will help B.C. farmers protect their poultry and livestock from animal diseases like avian influenza, swine fever, and foot-and-mouth disease.

香蕉视频直播淚 am pleased to officially announce that the B.C. government is investing $5 million in the B.C. poultry and livestock sector with the renewed focus of reducing the spread of animal disease and improving food security for British Columbians,香蕉视频直播� said Pam Alexis, minister of agriculture and food.

Details like how and when the funding will flow weren香蕉视频直播檛 available, but the new program is about fostering 香蕉视频直播渞esilience香蕉视频直播� in the ag sector, as part of a larger $200-million investment in food security initiatives recently announced.

Langley East MLA Megan Dykeman who is also a farmer, said animal diseases when they hit can have a 香蕉视频直播渞ipple effect香蕉视频直播� throughout the food supply chain.

香蕉视频直播淭his investment will enable our farmers and ranchers to plan, prepare and prevent and mitigate for these diseases on their farms,香蕉视频直播� she said.

The funding will go to a mix of 香蕉视频直播渆mergency planning and training香蕉视频直播� for the livestock and poultry sector, and equipment in response to outbreaks, as well as research, and implementation of biosecurity and mitigation measures.

The ag sector will be able to respond 香蕉视频直播渜uicker and better香蕉视频直播� to disease outbreaks with this key support, said Alexis.

香蕉视频直播淎nimal diseases, such as avian influenza, have a huge impact on farmers,香蕉视频直播� said Mark Siemens, president of the BC Egg producers association.

They香蕉视频直播檝e learned the virus is now a 香蕉视频直播測ear-round香蕉视频直播� concern causing farmers 香蕉视频直播渕ental strain and anguish,香蕉视频直播� which has become 香蕉视频直播渧ery challenging,香蕉视频直播� Siemens said.

香蕉视频直播淧oultry farmers particularly appreciate the fact that this funding is available to a wide variety of applicants so we can take advantage of best practices from across the animal agriculture sector,香蕉视频直播� he said.

Industry associations will receive support for business planning, research, biosecurity and equipment purchases needed to respond to an animal disease outbreak.

The ministry香蕉视频直播檚 Animal Health Centre, located in Abbotsford, currently handles more than 6,000 case submissions annually while diagnosing, monitoring and assisting in controlling and preventing diseases, such as avian influenza. The province has also announced plans to invest in a new Animal Health Centre that will ensure a more robust response to disease and enhanced testing in the future.

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