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.

91裸聊视频淚 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,91裸聊视频� said Pam Alexis, minister of agriculture and food.

Details like how and when the funding will flow weren91裸聊视频檛 available, but the new program is about fostering 91裸聊视频渞esilience91裸聊视频� 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 91裸聊视频渞ipple effect91裸聊视频� throughout the food supply chain.

91裸聊视频淭his investment will enable our farmers and ranchers to plan, prepare and prevent and mitigate for these diseases on their farms,91裸聊视频� she said.

The funding will go to a mix of 91裸聊视频渆mergency planning and training91裸聊视频� 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 91裸聊视频渜uicker and better91裸聊视频� to disease outbreaks with this key support, said Alexis.

91裸聊视频淎nimal diseases, such as avian influenza, have a huge impact on farmers,91裸聊视频� said Mark Siemens, president of the BC Egg producers association.

They91裸聊视频檝e learned the virus is now a 91裸聊视频測ear-round91裸聊视频� concern causing farmers 91裸聊视频渕ental strain and anguish,91裸聊视频� which has become 91裸聊视频渧ery challenging,91裸聊视频� Siemens said.

91裸聊视频淧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,91裸聊视频� he said.

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

The ministry91裸聊视频檚 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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