Nearly $10 million to help pork industry prevent possible ASF outbreak

The Government of Canada is protecting the resilience of Canada’s rural communities and the Canadian pork sector by supporting prevention and preparedness measures for African swine fever (ASF)

ASF is a viral disease that only impacts pigs. While it has not been found in Canada to date, as it spreads around the globe, it poses a significant risk to the health of the Canadian swine herd, the pork industry, and the Canadian economy.

“Animal diseases, including African swine fever, are a serious threat to Canada’s pork sector, and it’s vitally important that all orders of government and industry take steps to prevent and prepare,” stated Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “These projects are a key part of Canada’s efforts to prevent an ASF outbreak while ensuring our pork sector is ready to respond.”

 

 “This is a sword of Damocles dangling over the heads of every member of our (pork) industry“

 

Francis Drouin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced an investment of up to $9,645,586 to fund 29 African Swine Fever Industry Preparedness Program (ASFIPP) projects in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

“To be successful in countering foreign animal diseases, cooperation between the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, and industry is crucial,” added Francis Drouin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “This program not only supports our pork industry’s commitment to prevention and preparation efforts against African swine fever, it also supports efforts to prevent and prepare for other potential foreign animal diseases.”

“This crucial and innovative initiative underscores our commitment to invest in advanced technologies, rigorous training, and collaborative partnerships to fortify our defences against African Swine Fever and other potential threats,” said René Roy, Chair of the Canadian Pork Council. “This strategic focus not only protects our swine producers and their livelihoods but also upholds Canada’s reputation as a reliable supplier of safe and high-quality pork products globally.”

This investment will fund ASF research, improved biosecurity measures, wild pig management activities, retrofits of existing abattoirs, regional preparation for the welfare depopulation and disposal of healthy hogs, and sector analysis, engagement and education tools, and will help ensure the sector is prepared should a case be detected. 

“This is a sword of Damocles dangling over the heads of every member of our (pork) industry.”