Ontario Pork has heard from farmers concerned about how to manage COVID-19 concerns on their farms. Staff at Ontario Pork are closely monitoring global developments related to the pandemic and will post updates here. In addition, any significant developments related to the swine sector will be shared via email and social media.
The below posters about COVID-19 awareness and prevention can be printed and posted in your barn or workplace. In addition, helpful, up-to-date information related to COVID-19 and livestock agriculture in Canada is summarized below. Please navigate this guide via the links below.
What to do if someone on your farm tests positive?
Step 1: Collect some background information (i.e. When was the last time they were at work? When did you receive a confirmed positive test report?)
Step 2: Contact your local public health unit
Step 3: Follow public health direction
Step 4: Inform any workers who may have been exposed
Step 5: Report to Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development within 4 days and WSIB within 3 days of receving notification of illness
Step 6: Who else do I need to notify? (i.e veterinarians, feed companies, field reps/auditors, etc.)
For the full guide and detailed information, please read this full document provided by OMAFRA.
CEBA
CEBA (https://ceba-cuec.ca/) requirements and deadlines have changed:
- As of October 26, 2020, eligible Canadian businesses that currently operating through a personal bank account will be able to apply for CEBA.
- All applicants now have until December 31, 2020, to apply for CEBA.
- *COMING SOON* CEBA support is being expanded from $40K to $60K. This expansion will be available to all eligible previous and new CEBA applicants. Stay tuned to the CEBA website for more details, including launch details in the coming weeks.
If you have already applied for CEBA and have questions, please contact the CEBA Call Centre at 1-888-324-4201. An agent will return your call within 3 business days between Monday and Friday from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm EST and can address the following types of questions:
- What is the status of my application?
- Why was my application declined?
- Why was my submitted document rejected?
Please note CEBA applicants will have to open a business operating account if they don’t already have one. Therefore, it would be worthwhile to prior to opening a business account to first determine CEBA eligibility by using the CEBA Pre-Qualifier website (https://verify-verifier.ceba-cuec.ca/). Input all required information and obtain a unique reference number. The business will receive an email with the reference number. This number will be a required input during the CEBA application process.
Advice from CAHRC
The Canadian Agricultural Human Resources Council (CAHRC) has created a dedicated website to provide updates and advice for farmers and farm businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Visit the CAHRC website for updates: https://cahrc-ccrha.ca/programs/emerging-agriworkforce-issues/information-and-updates-coronavirus-covid-19
Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA)
How do we Manage on the Farm?
- Ensure your workers have access to information about proper protocol (e.g. hand washing) to limit transmission.
- Ensure your workers are aware of their responsibility to properly notify you if they are feeling unwell or of any risk of exposure to COVID-19 they may have encountered.
- Communicate clearly with your workers about your expectations regarding sick leave.
- Remind employees of HR policies during this pandemic, specifically around sick leave. If you do not have formal policies in place, templates are available in the AgriHR Toolkit.
- Depending on the existing policy, it may be required to extend sick leave beyond the current policy to ensure workers with symptoms of or exposure to COVID-19 are not stressed by a financial burden.
- Ensure that workers with symptoms of or exposure to COVID-19 are supported to self-isolate.
- Do not provide information regarding the name, date of birth, or other identifiers of any workers diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus. Your workers are entitled to privacy under Canadian privacy legislation.
- Do provide information to your workers if they have been exposed to COVID-19 in the workplace.
Managing the Risk to the Work Environment
- Limit or restrict visitors to the farm or business operation.
- Implement a hand-washing regime for all employees.
- Clean frequently used surfaces with hospital grade disinfectant.
- Ensure employees are informed of the risks, symptoms, steps to self-isolate.
- Consider restricting travel (business or leisure) and ask employees to self-isolate upon returning home from international travel.
- Businesses that are receiving foreign workers should monitor advisories from the government departments responsible for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
- Continue to follow recommendations provided around maintaining biosecurity and food safety standards.
- Businesses that provide housing for their workers will need to ensure their risk management plan considers large numbers of employees being quarantined or requiring health care.
- Ensure risk management and operational plans include pandemic plans for HR management. Having a risk management plan in place for dealing with events that may cause a crisis to the staff available to work will ensure that when/if that happens there is a structured, controlled response to it.
- These type of plans should include identifying decision makers, roles and responsibilities, access to medical care, plans for both quarantine or transportation to medical facilities. They should also include communications planning such as who is the point of contact, medical contacts, internal and external communication plans, contact information for all staff, suppliers, community services.
- The risk management plan should also identify what to do if staff are not available to conduct time sensitive work (e.g. milking, strawberry picking) when not enough employees are available to do the work because of sickness. This may include having agreements with surrounding farmers for back up support.
Working with Animals
If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and have contact with animals:
- avoid close contact with them
- avoid coughing and sneezing on the animals
- have another member of your staff care for the animals
- if this is not possible, always wash your hands before touching or feeding them
Swine Health Ontario
Some questions and answers about Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and swine. Swine Health Ontario would like to share some key concepts and definitions to help you navigate the information already circulating.
What is a Coronavirus?
A coronavirus refers to a member of a large family of viruses named Coronaviridae. These viruses can cause disease in a variety of animal species. Some examples of important coronaviruses are: the Human Coronavirus, which causes the common cold; Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus, which causes diarrhea and mortality in young piglets; and Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV), causing respiratory infection in chickens. Coronaviruses important for humans are alphacoronaviruses (common cold) and betacoronaviruses (COVID-19). Evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 was originally a virus from bats that now infects humans.
Can humans be infected with the coronaviruses commonly found in swine?
There is no evidence of humans becoming infected with coronaviruses found in swine.
Can humans give COVID-19 to pigs?
Currently, there is no conclusive research that suggests pigs are susceptible to COVID-19. All producers have the ultimate responsibility to protect the health of animals under their care, and are encourage to review their farm-level biosecurity plan for their operation. If you are exhibiting clinical signs that could be compatible with COVID-19 e.g. fever, cough, difficulty breathing you should be isolated from contact with other people and animals based on the recommendations provided by your local public health unit.
COVID-19 in Animals
COVID-19 is a virus affecting humans. There is currently no evidence to suggest that this virus is circulating in animals in Canada. There is no evidence animals can spread the virus. There are still many unknowns about COVID-19. If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or are exhibiting clinical signs that could be associated with COVID-19, or are experiencing other illnesses such as the flu, and have contact with animals:
- avoid close contact with them
- have another member of your staff care for the animals
- if this is not possible, always wash your hands before touching or feeding them
- wear a mask that will protect others around you that you are in contact with
For more Information:
Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA)
The CFA has the following recommendations for those working with livestock during the COVID-19 pandemic:
- While a recent study suggests that the virus that causes COVID-19 may have the potential to infect some types of animals, similar to what is known for SARS-CoV, there is currently no evidence that other domestic animals can be infected with COVID-19 virus or can be a source of infection to people. There are still many unknowns about this newly emerged coronavirus and this is an area that remains to be studied and understood.
- Those handling live animals and animal products should practice good personal hygiene, including frequent hand washing after touching animals and animal products. They should consider wearing protective gowns, gloves, masks while professionally handling animals and fresh animal products. Equipment and working stations should be disinfected frequently, at least once a day.
- Protective clothing should be removed after work and washed daily. Workers should avoid exposing family members to soiled work clothing, shoes, or other items that may have come into contact with potentially contaminated material. It is therefore recommended that protective clothes and items remain at the workplace for daily washing.
AgriStability
The AgriStability program is designed to protect producers from large declines in farming income caused by production loss, increased costs or market conditions. The program is needs-based, meaning if additional losses on-farm result from holding onto animals, it can be reflected in a lower production margin and thus an increased payment.
The program payment trigger is 70 per cent of your reference margin. If your production margin falls below your payment trigger, AgriStability will pay you 70 per cent of the difference between your production margin and your payment trigger.
For example, if you have a margin of $100,000, the corresponding payment trigger is $70,000 if your current year production margin is $60,000, your payment calculation would be as follows:
- Payment = (payment trigger – production margin) x 70%
- Payment = ($70,000 - $60,000) x 70%
- Payment = $7,000
However, if your current year production margin is significantly lower, the program becomes more responsive. For example, if you drop to $20,000 in production margin, your payment calculation would be as follows:
- Payment = (payment trigger – production margin) x 70%
- Payment = ($70,000 - $20,000) x 70%
- Payment = $35,000
The program also covers negative margins. In a program year, the maximum payment that can be received under AgriStability is $3 million. However, there are no overall program caps, so the program will pay out according to the established formulas no matter how deep the losses are.
When the government lowered the trigger to 70 per cent of reference margins, the program made payments less frequently and, as a result, many farmers stopped using it. The program is tailored specifically to your farm, and when a payment is generated, it is not prorated. Meaning, if the program calculates payments to producers, it does not matter if the total cost to government is $200 million or $2 billion, the program will pay out the full benefit.
If you have questions about AgriStability or the other government programs currently in place, contact Patrick O’Neil, manager of business economics and development at patrick.oneil@ontariopork.on.ca.
World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions:
What do I do if someone working on my farm tests positive for COVID-19?
Step 1: Collect some background information (i.e. When was the last time they were at work? When did you receive a confirmed positive test report?)
Step 2: Contact your local public health unit
Step 3: Follow public health direction
Step 4: Inform any workers who may have been exposed
Step 5: Report to Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development within 4 days and WSIB within 3 days of receving notification of illness
Step 6: Who else do I need to notify? (i.e veterinarians, feed companies, field reps/auditors, etc.)
For the full guide and detailed information, please read this full document provided by OMAFRA.
Will processing plants continue to operate in Ontario/Canada?
- Conestoga Meats is currently up and running.
- Sofina Foods is currently up and running.
- Olymel is currently up and running.
Plants will continue to work with the CFIA Veterinarian-in-Charge at each site, to facilitate overtime and weekend shifts as required.
Can I continue to export my hogs under current border restrictions?
- Yes. Both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford have reinforced that travel restrictions and closures will not impact the flow of trade.
Will feed, livestock transport and other support services continue to operate as usual under the current restrictions?
- Companies across the industry are taking steps to reduce the risk of disease for their staff and customers. Service restrictions or limitations will be determined by each company. Some businesses many opt to close retail operations, or avoid person-to-person contact. Reach out to your suppliers to discuss your options.
Will financial support be available to farms/ businesses impacted by the outbreak?
- OFA summary of government financial assistance
- Agricorp announced that eligible producers may receive a one-time payment to help offset the cost of additional feed for hogs held back due to plant closures between April 5 and June 13, 2020.
- The Ontario government is expanding the Risk Management Program a year earlier than planned by $50 million for a total of $150 million annually.
- The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $10 million in emergency assistance for beef and hog farmers. View full release.
- The Ontario government will be further expanding eligibility for the targeted emergency child care program to additional workers who are performing critical roles in their communities. This now includes farmers and those who support food or agricultural product supply chains.
Is financial compensation available to employees unable to work?
How will travel restrictions impact the Temporary Foreign Workers program?
What happens if illness on-farm prevents me from being able to care for our animals?
- Some companies supporting the pork industry have teams or resources available to help barns operate in times of crisis. Given the extent of the COVID-19 situation, these resources may be limited. If you need help, reach out to suppliers, or contact Ontario Pork’s industry and member services team.
Is Ontario Pork continuing to offer services to producers during the COVID-19 outbreak?
- Ontario Pork continues to operate all services. In an effort to reduce office density, staff have been offered the option of rotating between home and office locations. As Ontario Pork limits visitors to the office, please call ahead if you plan to visit.
- We have received recommendations from the Canadian Pork Council (CPC) to postpone on-farm visits related to full validations on the CQA and CPE programs (PigSAFE|PigCARE). We encourage producers to complete their site manager training online.
- Ontario Pork will still be processing orders for PigTrace individual ID ear tags; however, we will no longer be accepting office pickups at this time. Please allow 7-10 business days for delivery. You can also order through the PigTrace website: https://pigtrace.traceability.ca/ by logging in and selecting “My Orders” > “Create an Order”
Market Interruption Explainer
When disruption occurs in the supply chain, farmers are often asked: Why can’t you just stop sending hogs to market, or wait until things get back to normal?
The information below provides a brief overview of the hog production cycle, processing options in Ontario, and the difficult choices facing farmers and others in industry when disease or other issues cause the system to break down.
Biosecurity during COVID-19
In general
- Limit farm entry to personnel performing essential activities (i.e. those required for the care and wellbeing of the animals, workers and facilities).
- People who are sick or have signs of illness (e.g. fever, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, tiredness, shortness of breath) should stay home and call a doctor or healthcare provider.
- Upon entering the farm, immediately wash hands with soap for 20 seconds.
- Follow farm established procedures to disinfect incoming materials. Handle the materials with disposable gloves, if available.
Social distancing
- Avoid close physical contact such as shaking hands or hugging. If possible, maintain two metres of distance between people at all times.
- Limit interactions with people outside of work:
- Avoid travel
- Do not carpool or limit carpooling to essential situations
- Limit travel to essential locations (i.e groceries and pharmacies)
- In mechanically ventilated buildings or rooms, increase ventilation rates to increase the number of air exchanges of the rooms and hallways (i.e showers, breakrooms, bathrooms).
- In naturally ventilated areas, open outside windows (while following biosecurity protocols) to increase air circulation in the area.
- Consider adjusting schedules to avoid likelihood of infection of all workers at the same time. For instance, split employees into morning/ afternoon shifts, alternating days, or other schedules that facilitate segregation of personnel while attending the needs of the farm.
- Keep workers separated in designated areas and functions to limit interactions.
- Stagger arrival of workers and break times so workers do not congregate in the common spaces.
- Limit number of face-to-face meetings. Consider alternatives such as conference calls or email.
Cleaning
- Clean showers and breakroom, and disinfect surfaces regularly.
- Wash and dry shared materials (e.g. towels, kitchen utensils, pens) between uses.
- Clean and disinfect common spaces after each group of people, and at the end of the day.
- Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces (ie. workstations, countertops, fridge/freezer doors, light switches and doorknobs). Use appropriate cleaning agents and follow label directions.
- When handling clothing and towels, wear gloves and disinfect clothing hampers.
WASH YOUR HANDS!
- Wash hands frequently.
- Wash hands with soap for 20 seconds prior to eating or entering common area spaces. Hand sanitizer is recommended if washing with soap is not available.
- Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands or gloves.
Working with suppliers
- Ensure a distance of a minimum of two metres between yourself and other individuals.
- Notify your transporter, feed mill and other suppliers if you, an employee or a family member:
- Has travelled outside Canada within the previous 14 days
- Is ill with flu-like symptoms
- Has been in close contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
If any of these conditions are present, these individuals must stay away from drivers or suppliers. Maintain self-isolation and avoid being present for loading or unloading.
Supportive Messages from Consumers
On our Instagram account, we asked a few consumers what they would say to Ontario pork producers right now. These are just a few of their responses:
THANK YOU, to all the farmers for keeping our grills loaded and our tummies filled!"
- Stephen
"We love and appreciate all that you do day in and day out."
- Bethany
"Thank you for my bacon every. single. weekend."
- Bev
"Thank you for keeping everything going, Ontario Pork farmers!! It is so appreciated!"
- Nik
"I just wanted to take a quick send to say THANK YOU to Ontario's pork farmers! I grew up not far from Pork Road and always went with my parents to the Pork Congress in Stratford even as urban residents. I’d worked in Ag for several years and have developed such a profound appreciation for those who supply our food. I will wear these with pride and tell the world why our pork is simply amazing."
- Stephanie
Printable Posters about COVID-19 (Click to Expand)
Please see here for additional, printable posters from the government.
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