TB found in British Columbia

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has launched an investigation into a case of bovine tuberculosis (bovine TB) in a beef cow in British Columbia.

Bovine TB is a reportable disease in Canada and has been subject to a mandatory national eradication program since 1923.

On October 26, 2018, a mature beef cow was identified with TB at a federally-inspected packing plant.

The carcass was condemned, and no portions of the animal entered the food chain.

Samples were shipped to the CFIA's Ottawa Laboratory–Fallowfield on October 29, 2018, and arrived October 31. On November 9, laboratory testing results confirmed a case of bovine TB. The animal was traced to a farm in the southern interior of British Columbia.

The CFIA is continuing to work closely with the producers, industry associations, and provincial and federal agricultural and health authorities throughout the investigation.

This finding should not affect Canada's current international status in which all provinces are considered bovine TB-free. This status supports international trade for Canada's beef industry.

The CFIA is in the very early stages of its investigation. It has begun tracing movements of the animal in the infected herd to try to identify the source and any potential spread of the disease.

This involves identifying all herds that have come in contact with the infected animal during its life. The CFIA has also begun testing to identify the strain of the bacterium as this may inform if there are connections to previous cases.

As the investigation proceeds, the CFIA will trace the movement of animals to and from the infected herd during the past five years to identify and eliminate the source and any potential spread of the disease. Because the investigation is in the early stages, the exact number of herds involved and the time to complete the investigation are not yet known.

            

PED in Lambton County

There has been another outbreak of deadly porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, the first since May and the 115^th since the disease first showed up in Ontario.

The outbreak was Oct. 22, but wasn’t posted on the internet until Nov. 15.

Also, an outbreak on May 15 was added at the same time.

The Oct. 15 outbreak was on a farrow-to-finish barn in Lambton County and the May 15 one on a wean-to-finish farm in Middlesex County.

The information is supposed to be posted at http://www.ontariopork.on.ca/Portals/0/Docs/PED/PED-Confirmed_Cases.pdf?ver=2018-04-05-095702-617.

The industry has said making outbreaks public is important for controlling spread  of the virus.

Canadians think food costs too much

For the third year since surveys began, Canadians continue to say food is too expensive.

The surveys are conducted by the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity (CCFI).

When asked to rate their level of concern on a number of issues ranging from health care, economy and unemployment to climate change and rising energy costs, Canadians indicated they’re most concerned about the rising cost of food (67 percent). 

Keeping healthy food affordable was rated second, together with rising energy costs and rising health care costs, all at 63 percent. 

Canadians ranked the safety of imported food their fifth concern.

“The results tell us today’s consumers are not only looking for affordable food options, they are also unsure about many aspects about food and the food system and are looking to know more from credible sources,” said Crystal Mackay, president of the CCFI.

 More Canadians think the Canadian food system is not headed in the right direction – 40 per cent now compared with 36 per cent last year.

The overall impression of agriculture also decreased for the first time in 12 years - falling from 61 percent in 2016 to 56 percent in the latest survey. This follows a steady increase since 2006. 

The decline in positive impressions is driven by a significant increase in Canadians who say they don’t know enough about agriculture and food to have an opinion (12 percent in 2018, compared to only two percent in 2016).

   

“This research demonstrates that the food system can’t take trust for granted; it must be earned,” said Mackay. “Canadians desire balanced, credible information about food so they can feel confident in their decisions for themselves and their families. 

“It’s up to the entire food chain to turn up the volume and efforts to openly share information about food and how it’s produced, processed and packaged with consumers.”

The 2018 web-based survey was completed in July by 1,509 respondents who reflect the general Canadian consumer population aged 18 or older.  

The survey results from the 2018 CCFI Public Trust Research can be downloaded downloaded at www.foodintegrity.ca in French or English.

Premium Brands sets records

Premium Brands Holdings continues to expand and set records.

Revenues increased by 50 per cent to $835.5 million in its third quarter and earnings per share increased by 22 per cent.

During the quarter, the Company invested $254.4 million to buy Ready Seafood, Yorkshire Valley Farms and Select Foods.

Among its holdings in Ontario are Belmont Meats and Piller’s Meats and Delicatessens.

Chinese feed contaminated with African Swine Fever virus

 Tangrenshen Group has found feed it produced contaminated with African swine fever, raising fears of its spread further across China.

It is the first report of contaminated feed in an industry squeezed by tight margins.

In a statement to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, the company said the disease was found in feed samples provided by its 51 percent-owned subsidiary, Bili Meiyingwei Nutrition Feedstuff.

The discovery occurred during inspections after an outbreak of African swine fever on a farm in Qingyang county located in the eastern Chinese province of Anhui.

Tangrenshen said the origin of the disease remained unclear and the matter was still under investigation.

China has struggled to stem the rapid spread of African swine fever, which has now reached most of the country's pig-farming regions. The country produces almost 700 million pigs a year, or about half of the world's total.

                     

Organic council pushes for regulation

The Organic Council of Canada says a survey of 94 stakeholders indicates support for its push to have the province regulate the industry.

The survey also indicated small-scale organic producers need supports to achieve and maintain certification.

“Organic regulation is looking like more of a real possibility in Ontario, as we continue to engage with policymakers,” said Carolyn Young, executive director of the Organic Council of Ontario. 

“Most of our respondents indicated that they are in favour of regulation, in principle, as long as small-scale supports are also created. 

“Once regulation is in place, small operators will be required to have certification to use the word organic. So we want to make sure that it is realistic and viable for them to become certified.” 

As part of the survey, OCO asked whether alternative forms of certification for “low-risk” farms would be a reasonable solution.

They would face fewer inspections if they demonstrate good behaviour for at least three years, the council suggests.

“The results of the survey indicated that while this approach would be welcomed by many producers, other supports are still needed,” the council said.

“The cost of certification is a concern for many farmers, which is why British Columbia has a low-risk program.” said Young. 

“In other jurisdictions, there are also certification subsidies to help with this, as well as some organic-oriented extension services such as technical supports and training. OCO is now looking at alternative ways of funding them.” 

Tribunal ok’s CFFO, OFA accreditation

The Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture have received approval for stable funding from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal.

There were public hearings at the end of September and nobody showed up to oppose their applications for re-accreditation.

There is no word yet on the application filed by the Ontario Branch of the National Farmers Union.