By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup for Tuesday September 15, 2020

Sep 15, 2020 | 10:22 AM

African Swine Fever (ASF) has had a major impact on pork production around the world.

While there are no cases in Canada, pork producers here are asking the federal government to invest $50 million over the next three years in a pork pandemic prevention plan.

This would include improved biosecurity and traceability, prepare response programming, improve communications, engage with small-scale producers, increase research, and appoint a chief ASF officer.

ASF is a highly contagious viral disease that results in significant production and economic losses wherever it is found.

While initially isolated, ASF has been spreading for the last three years across eastern Europe and Asia.

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RCMP are investigating the theft of a large quantity of beef from the JBS meat packing plant near Brooks, Alta.

On Aug. 30, a transport truck that was subcontracted to haul a full load of beef from the plant to the United States failed to make its delivery. It was later determined the transport truck was operating under the fraudulent name of Transport Pascal Charland out of Chateauguay, Que.

The transport truck is described as a burgundy coloured semi-truck with a large bunk. It was pulling a white refrigerated enclosed trailer.

The suspect is described as a Caucasian male with short brown hair and slightly balding. He is tall with a heavy build and was wearing blue jeans, a black t-shirt, yellow fluorescent vest, and a surgical mask.

The full load of beef was valued at over $230,000.

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A new website can help farmers prepare for emergencies, contingency plan and improve their capacity to face uncertainty.

The website is set up so producers can ask or vote for questions they would like answered, find the answers to questions asked by Canadian farmers and access funding, tools, programs and resources.

Farm Management Canada is the administrator of the website.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF