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.

含羞草研究社淚 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,含羞草研究社� said Pam Alexis, minister of agriculture and food.

Details like how and when the funding will flow weren含羞草研究社檛 available, but the new program is about fostering 含羞草研究社渞esilience含羞草研究社� 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 含羞草研究社渞ipple effect含羞草研究社� throughout the food supply chain.

含羞草研究社淭his investment will enable our farmers and ranchers to plan, prepare and prevent and mitigate for these diseases on their farms,含羞草研究社� she said.

The funding will go to a mix of 含羞草研究社渆mergency planning and training含羞草研究社� 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 含羞草研究社渜uicker and better含羞草研究社� to disease outbreaks with this key support, said Alexis.

含羞草研究社淎nimal diseases, such as avian influenza, have a huge impact on farmers,含羞草研究社� said Mark Siemens, president of the BC Egg producers association.

They含羞草研究社檝e learned the virus is now a 含羞草研究社測ear-round含羞草研究社� concern causing farmers 含羞草研究社渕ental strain and anguish,含羞草研究社� which has become 含羞草研究社渧ery challenging,含羞草研究社� Siemens said.

含羞草研究社淧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,含羞草研究社� 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含羞草研究社檚 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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