At the recent Canadian Wild Pigs Summit in Brandon, MB, the Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba announced over $2.6 million in new funding for the Squeal on Pigs Manitoba initiative over the next four years. The campaign aims to identify, control, and remove wild pigs from Manitoba, ultimately aiming for their eradication. Field technicians will work with landowners to coordinate tracking and trapping activities and provide necessary tools. The initiative also includes a comprehensive communications and public relations campaign. This funding, supported by Manitoba Pork, the Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba, and the agricultural sector, will help protect livestock, crops, and the environment from the threats posed by wild pigs.
Manitoba’s agriculture minister, Ron Kostyshyn, told the group he’d like to speak about a more cheerful situation. “But I think the reality is that this is probably one session of many to come, given the challenges we want to avoid in the long run with the wild pigs.”
He didn’t think anyone five or ten years ago would have thought this would be a session or a conversation people would have, but it is here.
“The best thing we can do is use this as a great example, communicate, and work together from various sectors of the organizations we represent,” he said.
Addressing the wild pig issue promptly is crucial to mitigating potential consequences. The sooner the situation gets managed, the less worry there will be about the risks these pigs pose to livestock, crops, wildlife, and the landscape. It is encouraging to see stakeholders coming together to strategize and move forward in eliminating wild hogs.
The collaborative efforts, backed by new funding, aim to protect agricultural production, animal health, and the natural environment from the threats posed by wild pigs.
“By working together and utilizing resources effectively, the goal is safeguarding the province’s resources and bio-diversity,” said the minister.
“Wild pigs continue to thrive across Manitoba and are vectors for many diseases that have a devastating impact on both domestic pigs and other animals,” said Dr. Wayne Lees, project coordinator of Squeal on Pigs Manitoba.
He said the partners, including Manitoba’s agricultural sector and stakeholders, will use this new funding to increase tracking, trapping, remove wild pigs from the landscape, and protect the province.
The Squeal on Pigs campaign aims to identify where wild pigs are in Manitoba, control their spread, and remove as many pigs as possible from the landscape. Ultimately, the goal is to eradicate this invasive species from the province.
Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food for Canada, said wild pigs can spread disease and cause severe damage to cropland and natural habitats.
“This vitally important campaign, backed by federal and provincial investments under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, will help manage the population of wild pigs and keep our land and livestock safe,” said Minister MacAulay.
Manitobans are encouraged to report any evidence of wild pig sightings or signs of activity to help track their movements and support eradication efforts. Reports can be made through the website squealonpigsmb.org or by calling the 1-833-SPOT-PIG hotline. Residents must also refrain from hunting wild pigs alone, as this can disperse the populations, alter their movement patterns, and hinder trapping efforts.
The Manitoba Invasive Swine Eradication Project re-branded as Squeal on Pigs Manitoba, was launched in January 2022. This initiative is a partnership between the Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba, and Manitoba Pork, funded through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) is a five-year agreement (2023-2028) with a budget of $3.5 billion. This partnership aims to enhance the competitiveness, innovation, and resilience of the agriculture and agri-food sector. The funding includes $1 billion for federal programs and activities and $2.5 billion cost-shared by federal (60 per cent) and provincial/territorial (40 per cent) governments for programs designed and delivered by the provinces and territories. •
— By Harry Siemens