Alberta Farm Family Appreciated

OTTAWA - Arnold Van Ginkel is owed a debt of gratitude by the Canadian pork industry for putting the health of the industry first and the interests of his own farm second.

Van Ginkel’s herd was placed under a CFIA quarantine April 28, 2009 after he voluntarily reported influenza-like symptoms in his herd coupled with the fact that a worker in his barn had recently visited Mexico and had suffered flu-like symptoms. It was later determined that the livestock had been infected with the H1N1 Influenza A virus.

To address overcrowding issues that were certain to result from the quarantine, the Van Ginkel herd underwent a limited cull on Friday, May 8, 2009. Herman Simons, Chairman of Alberta Pork, explained to journalists at a recent press conference that while the cull and the whole H1N1 Influenza A issue has had a “huge impact on his (Van Ginkel’s) emotional state, overall he’s fairly strong and holding up pretty good. We’re very proud of him.”

“In addition to Arnold Van Ginkel, we would like to thank Alberta Pork, Alberta Agriculture and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for their quick and efficient handling of the impending overcrowding issue on the farm,” says Jurgen Preugschas, Chair of the Canadian Pork Council. “Thanks are also due to Van Ginkel’s neighbours and industry partners for their ongoing support of the Van Ginkel family and for respecting and protecting the privacy of the family until they were ready to be publically identified.”

The CPC fully supports the work of our federal government to quarantine the farm and to continue testing to determine when the quarantine can be lifted. Canada is committed to full transparency and will continue to share the most current scientific information with the public.

The Canadian Pork Council serves as the national voice for hog producers in Canada. A federation of nine provincial pork industry associations, our organization’s purpose is to play a leadership role in achieving and maintaining a dynamic and prosperous Canadian pork sector.

For further information: Jurgen Preugschas, Chair, Canadian Pork Council, +1-780-204-2500, jurgenp@xplornet.com; Jean-Guy Vincent, First Vice-Chair, Canadian Pork Council, +1-819-352-2453, lyjean@ntic.qc.ca; Martin Rice, Executive Director, Canadian Pork Council, +1-613-236-9239 Ext. 236, rice@cpc-ccp.com

Source: Canadian Pork Council

For further information: Jurgen Preugschas, Chair, Canadian Pork Council, +1-780-204-2500, jurgenp at xplornet.com; Jean-Guy Vincent, First Vice-Chair, Canadian Pork Council, +1-819-352-2453, lyjean at ntic.qc.ca; Martin Rice, Executive Director, Canadian Pork Council, +1-613-236-9239 Ext. 236, rice at cpc-ccp.com