On-Farm Emergency Response Plans Workshop
Developing On-Farm Emergency Response Plans is an important component of disease preparedness and planning for potential market disruptions. The risk of African Swine Fever (ASF) and other Foreign Animal Diseases (FADs) are good examples of why having an emergency plan is critical.
The cull line at the North 49 plant a is our industry’s primary option for dealing with excess hog inventory in Saskatchewan. However, the Ministry of Agriculture and Sask Pork agree that there are situations where on-farm destruction and disposal may be necessary.
To be prepared, Sask Pork has been working with the Ministry and the Animal Health Emergency Management (AHEM) project on a guideline and a template for each farm to build a site-specific plan. We hope these plans will never be used, but having a strategy to deal with animal inventories is important.
A paper copy of the template is enclosed. A fillable pdf version of the guidebook and template was previously sent out. Sask Pork encourages using the electronic version to facilitate future updates.
For each complete On-Farm Emergency Response Plan submitted to Sask Pork by March 31, 2025, Sask Pork will provide $800 per premises. This is to help cover any consulting expenses you may incur and/or to value your time spent on developing the plan. This program will not be extended so we encourage you to take advantage of the current opportunity. Submit complete On Farm Emergency Response Plans to karolina@saskpork.com.
To help develop your On-Farm Emergency Response Plan, Sask Pork has organized two workshops featuring animal care and welfare specialist Jennifer Woods, and Provincial Environmental Engineer Dustin Reamer. To register, email karolina@saskpork.com or call the office at 306-244-7752. Lunch will be provided for the in-person event.
Workshop Details
Thursday January 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Coast Hotel Swift Current & Online
Thursday February 27 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Online
Q & A
Why do I need to submit my plan to Sask Pork?
This is a requirement of our funding agreement with AAFC and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture. Any submitted plans will remain confidential, but we will review to ensure each plan has been fully completed.
We also want to understand at a high-level what euthanasia methods producers are considering and whether there is currently enough equipment on farm to support these plans, or whether future supports or resources are required to enhance these on-farm equipment stocks.
I already have a plan but it is in a different format, will you accept this?
As long as it includes all of the same information that is included in the template, we will accept your plan in any format.
If we have the cull line in Saskatchewan at North 49, why do we need an on-farm plan?
In some situations, transporting animals off-site may not be the preferred or feasible option. For example:
· Any situation where your farm or a neighbouring site is suspected of having an FAD. In this situation, the farm would be quarantined, and any destruction and disposal operations will need to occur on-site;
· Situations where small pigs (<100 lbs) need to be culled;
· If technical or operational issues occur with the cull line or central disposal site.
I have multiple barns; can I just submit one plan for all of them?
No, these are site-specific plans requiring barn-specific information.
Can I complete or submit my plan after March 31, 2025?
The template can of course be completed any time, but if you don’t submit it to Sask Pork by March 31, you will not receive the $800 per site reimbursement.
Do I need to attend the workshops to receive the funding?
No but it is highly encouraged.
Where do I submit my plan?
Send completed plans to Sask Pork Producer Services Manager Karolina Steinerova at karolina@saskpork.com
