Cull Breeding Swine Program Update

On February 25th the Government of Canada announced the Cull Breeding Swine Program, which has the objective reducing the supply of breeding stock in Canada and easing the transition for producers wishing to exit the industry.  It is expected that funding will support a 10% reduction of the swine herd across Canada.  The program was announced prior to the majority of details being finalized.  This is what we do know:

• To participate in the program, you must agree to completely empty, or 'cull' an entire barn of breeding stock, and not refill the barn for at least three years.
• The definition of a 'barn' has not been determined (i.e. a barn could be based on premises (land location), or a physical structure – we don't know). 
• You may be able to keep feeder pigs and market animals in the barn, however, it is not to be used for "breeding animals".

• The program has not officially begun.  The Canadian Pork Council is working with the Government of Canada and an industry advisory group to develop agreements and application forms to be in place within weeks.  The program will officially start when applications are made available.  We will inform you as soon as the program begins. 

• Between November 1, 2007 and the program's start date, the program will make payments to eligible producers for breeding stock sold.   Payments will be based upon $225 less what you actually received for each animal.  It is vital that you retain all sales records because without them, animals sold will not be eligible.

• After the program start date (expected mid to late March), producers will receive $225 per sow or boar slaughtered or euthanized (no gilts). A stipulation is that these animals must not enter the commercial human food chain.   After the start date, animals sold for commercial human food consumption will no longer be eligible for the program. 

• Rules for euthanizing sows and proper disposal methods are still being developed.  We still do not know:
• Whether animals will be required to be euthanized on farm or at a central location;
• How the number of animals euthanized will be verified.

• It is likely that the program will have a condition that breeding stock over and above an enrolled barn's normal inventory will not be eligible for payments. 

• If you intend to take part in this program:

• Continue for the time being to market your animals through regular commercial channels, and retain all records.
  
  
• Please notify Harvey Wagner or Mark Ferguson at (306) 244-7752