Manitoba Pork is welcoming a new animal health trade agreement between Canada and Japan that strengthens protections for the pork industry in the event of an African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak.
Recently, the Government of Canada and the Government of Japan announced an agreement on the mutual recognition of containment zones for ASF. The agreement means that if an outbreak occurs, trade may continue from disease-free regions within a country rather than being shut down entirely.
ASF is a highly contagious and devastating disease that affects pigs. It is listed as an internationally reportable disease. While it has caused major losses in Asia, Europe and the Caribbean, ASF has not been detected in pigs in Canada.
Manitoba Pork General Manager Cam Dahl said the agreement represents an important step forward in protecting the Canadian pork sector from the economic shock of a potential outbreak.
“Manitoba Pork congratulates the Canadian Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Heath MacDonald, for accomplishing this critical milestone,” Dahl said. “We would also like to thank Hon. Norikazu Suzuki, Japan’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, for his engagement and collaboration.”
Dahl said the stakes are extremely high for Manitoba and Canada. The province is one of the most export-dependent pork producing regions in North America.
Manitoba produces about 8.5 million pigs annually, and roughly 90 per cent of those animals are exported as pork or live animals. Dahl said that level of trade exposure means an ASF outbreak would have immediate and severe consequences.
“The detection of African Swine Fever in Canada would be catastrophic for both the Manitoba and Canadian hog sectors,” he said. “It would result in a prolonged closure of international borders to pork and live animal exports, and a major financial impact on the province and country.”
The disease continues to spread globally. ASF has been reported in parts of Europe and Asia and was also detected in the Dominican Republic in recent years, increasing concern among North American producers.
Dahl said zoning agreements are a key tool in limiting economic damage during an outbreak. These agreements allow trade to continue from unaffected zones, even if part of a country is under disease control measures.
“With the addition of Japan to this list, about 55 percent of Canadian pork exports are now covered by ASF zoning agreements,” Dahl said. “If a similar agreement is reached with Mexico, that number could rise to about 65 per cent.”
He said these agreements are the result of long-term collaboration between government and industry, and they significantly reduce financial risk for producers and the wider economy.
Canada already has ASF zoning agreements in place with several key markets, including the United States, European Union, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates and the Philippines.
Industry leaders say these agreements are becoming increasingly important as global pressures from animal diseases rise and international trade partners seek stronger assurances about food safety and disease control systems.
Manitoba Pork says continued investment in bio-security, surveillance and international trade relationships remains critical to protecting the sector.
The organization represents pork producers across Manitoba and says its focus remains on ensuring the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of the province’s hog industry. •
— By Harry Siemens