LA POCATIERE, Quebec – The government of Canada is investing $306,500 to improve the health of sheep flocks.

The Centre d’expertise en production ovine du Québec (CEPOQ) will use the funding to develop new genetic tests to detect resistance to two antiparasitic drugs — fenbendazole and ivermectin. The goal is to better control gastrointestinal parasitic infections among sheep by detecting drug resistance.


“We are very pleased that Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada sees sheep production as a suitable area for investment, said Georges Parent, Agr. President of the Centre d’expertise en production ovine du Québec. This project will address a number of the businesses’ technical and economic, animal welfare, responsible drug use and sustainable development concerns.

CEPOQ is a non-profit organization in La Pocatière, Quebec that was created to further research and technology transfer within the sheep industry.