Genus PLC won’t sell these pigs in Canada until it receives other authorization
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency gave pigs gene edited for resistance to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) the green light for human and livestock consumption.
“Health Canada has concluded that foods made from these pigs are as safe and nutritious for people to eat as pork currently available in Canada. The CFIA has confirmed that these pigs are also safe and effective for use in livestock feeds,” a Jan. 23 statement says.
This ruling comes after Genus PLC and PIC (Pig Improvement Company) Canada provide formal submissions asking Health Canada to study using PRRS-resistant pigs for food use.
The pigs are gene edited to remove the CD163 gene. This prevents PRRS from entering the cell to infect the pig.
The result is a pig that’s “profoundly resistant to infection by the virus,” animal science researchers from the University of Missouri and Kansas State University found.
PIC representatives welcome Canada’s decision.
With no direct cure available, the gene edited pigs provide farmers with a high level of protection against the virus.
“We have spent years conducting extensive research, validating our findings and working with the Canadian government to gain approval,” Matt Culbertson, PIC’s COO, said in a company statement. “Today marks a major milestone for consumers, farmers, and the entire pork industry who have hoped for relief from PRRS for decades.”
With its ruling, Canada joins the United States, Colombia, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and Argentina as countries approving the pigs for food use.
And when products from PRRS-resistant pig do hit Canadian stores, they won’t require special labeling.
This is because Health Canada found no health and safety concerns.
Market research indicates Canadians will purchase products derived from PRRS-resistant pigs.
In fall 2025, PIC commissioned Circana to poll more than 5,000 pork consumers from eight countries.
The poll found “there is above average likelihood that Canadian consumers will purchase pork from gene-edited pigs.”
But more work is needed before Canadian producers can purchase these animals.
“Genus PLC has indicated that even though Canada has approved the sale of PRRSV resistant pigs, the company does not intend to sell these pigs before further regulatory authorization in other key markets,” Health Canada said. “The company and Health Canada are committed to the highest level of transparency and will communicate to the public when this new technology enters the Canadian market.”