Pork industry happy with federal investment, says swine research chair

Thursday, May 29, 2014

by MATT MCINTOSH

Stewart Cressman, chair of the Canadian Swine Research and Development Cluster Corporation and representative for Ontario’s pork industry, says he is pleased with the federal government’s announcement to allocate $13 million to a series of new swine research initiatives.

The new funding will be released over the next five years, and, according to a May 19 press release from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, is designed to supplement the $9.5 million granted to swine research between 2010 and 2013.

“We are thankful for what we received, but of course I don’t think every commodity got everything they were asking for,” says Cressman.

“We were required to match the government with $4.3 million from the private sector, which is a favourable amount that we have already collected.”

The money, which Cressman says will be allocated over the next five years, is going to the Swine Innovation Porc research cluster, which operates under Growing Forward 2. According to the press release, the funding will be focused on projects that “keep pace with changing consumer demands,” as well as the advancement of animal welfare practices and disease resistance.

The projects receiving the most money, says Cressman, include one focused on using “novel technologies” to optimize pig performance, flooring and other aspects of animal welfare, as well as overall carcass value. Another one, he says, will look at improving how piglets are brought up to slaughter weight, while the third is centered on finding new feedstocks.

“All three main projects are receiving roughly $3 million,” he says.

Cressman says there are many other research endeavors receiving funding in and around the $100,000 range, including some “discreet” projects that will be looking at influenza spread and infection.

“Influenza is an important thing to look at because it has implications for human health,” he says. BF