Sask Pork welcomes new measures to control feral pigs in Saskatchewan
Sask Pork is applauding new measures brought forward by the Government of Saskatchewan to regulate, monitor and control wild boar and feral pigs in the province.
The Ministry of Agriculture announced that it is developing regulations for licensing existing commercial wild boar farms and imposing a moratorium on new farms. Regulations for wild boar/feral pigs will also be developed under The Pest Control Act, which would specify various monitoring and control efforts as well as public obligations to report.
Annual funding for the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) Feral Wild Boar Control Program for surveillance and eradication efforts in the province is also being doubled to $200,000. The SCIC and the Ministry of Agriculture work closely with Sask Pork, rural municipalities, and the public to monitor and deal with feral pigs in the province.
“We are delighted with the new measures being brought forward by the Government of Saskatchewan,” said Sask Pork Board Chair Toby Tschetter. “Wild boar and feral pigs are not native to Saskatchewan and are considered an invasive species. In addition to damaging private property, they pose a significant threat to Saskatchewan’s hog industry as they can carry serious disease, such as African Swine Fever. These important new regulations will help protect the provincial hog industry and help us to keep our food supply secure. We encourage farmers, ranchers, and the public to use the wild boar reporting services as much as possible.”
While African Swine Fever has not yet ben reported in North America, it remains a serious threat to the Canadian Pork industry. In recent months it has been found in the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Europe.
Sask Pork operates the 1-883-PIG-SPOT hotline. All wild boar/feral pig sightings should be reported immediately by contacting 1-833-PIG-SPOT (1-833-744-7768) or a local SCIC office.
ABOUT SASK PORK
Sask Pork represents hog farmers across Saskatchewan who market over 2 million hogs annually. Hog production is the third most significant agricultural sector in Saskatchewan, behind grains/oilseeds and beef production. Saskatchewan’s hog industry accounts for over 1,000 direct jobs and contributes significantly to the local economy in both rural and urban areas. Sask Pork focuses on issues important to long-term production and sustainability of the industry, including on-farm food safety, animal care, swine research, environmental matters, consumer promotion and education. To learn more, please visit www.saskpork.com.