Sheep and goat farmers get help fighting scrapie

Sheep and goat producers on Prince Edward Island received government help to come up with a plan to eradicate scrapie, a fatal disease that affects goats and sheep.

The Canadian Sheep Federation will receive almost $350,000 to implement the scrapie eradication strategic plan.

The funds will give sheep and goat producers the necessary tools and information to fight scrapie.

In a press release, the federationsaid theproject will help reduce theeconomic losses to producers, as well as reduce the cost of disease control actions, regain market access, and explore new market opportunities.

Any farmer who agrees to meet the program's requirements can take part in the expandedVoluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program (VSFCP).

"This investment will help ensure that Canadian sheep and goat producers have a plan in place to help meet buyer and market demands," said Malpeque MPWayne Easter.

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