International forum on African swine fever

Leaders and key decision makers from Canadian and international governments, as well as domestic and international industry stakeholders, will work together to develop a framework based on a foundation of science in four areas:

• Preparedness Planning
• Enhanced Biosecurity
• Ensure Business Continuity
• Coordinated Risk Communications

The Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) for Canada, Dr. Jaspinder Komal, and the CVO for the United States, Dr. Jack Shere, are leading the two-day forum to address the risk of ASF that is currently impacting pigs in Europe and Asia.

The forum represents another piece in Canada's proactive and collaborative approach to protecting Canada's fourth largest agricultural sector, which contributes approximately $24 billion to the Canadian economy annually.

In light of the pace at which ASF is spreading through parts of Asia and Europe, the Government of Canada continues taking action to protect its pigs and the economy, including but not limited to:

• providing new funding of up to $31 million to increase the number of detector dogs at Canadian airports;
• implementing additional import control measures to prevent infected plant-based feed ingredients from ASF-affected countries from entering Canada; and
• engaging international partners on approaches to zoning, so that trade disruptions can be minimized, should ASF enter Canada.