Canada commits over $500 million to protect hog producers from African Swine Fever threat

Mar 13, 2025

The Canadian government is taking significant steps to protect rural communities and the pork industry from the threat of African Swine Fever (ASF).

Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Lawrence MacAulay, revealed a funding commitment of up to $567.16 million to support hog producers if key export markets for Canadian pork and live pigs are closed due to an ASF outbreak in the Canada or the U.S.

Although Canada is currently ASF-free, even a single case would trigger international trade restrictions, severely impacting the pork sector, which relies heavily on exports. This could lead to substantial costs for hog producers and force them to consider drastic measures like herd depopulation.

AAFC will collaborate with provinces and territories to develop agreements, potentially increasing the funding to reflect a 60:40 cost-sharing arrangement with regional partners.

This funding is part of a broader strategy to prevent and manage ASF outbreaks. Key initiatives include:

The African Swine Fever Industry Preparedness Program (ASFIPP), which has allocated $15.5 million to 28 recipients for 44 projects aimed at early detection and emergency response.
Enhanced measures at ports of entry, such as additional detector dog teams and increased scrutiny of goods from ASF-infected countries, to prevent the virus from entering Canada.
Ongoing awareness campaigns targeting travelers and small-scale producers.

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Video: Inside the National Swine Health Strategy - Dr. Dustin Oedekoven

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show, Dr. Dustin Oedekoven, Chief Veterinarian at the National Pork Board, explains the producer-led National Swine Health Strategy and why it is essential for improving U.S. swine health. He discussed industry collaboration, the strategy's initial priorities, why PEDV is the first focus for elimination, research initiatives, and the long-term vision for healthier herds. Listen now on all major platforms.

"The National Swine Health Strategy creates a coordinated approach that moves the entire industry toward common health goals."

Meet the guest: Dr. Dustin Oedekoven / dusty-oedekoven-bb0bb7110 is Chief Veterinarian at the National Pork Board, where he leads initiatives to strengthen U.S. swine health through disease prevention, producer collaboration, and the National Swine Health Strategy. With more than 20 years of experience in veterinary public health and regulatory animal health, his work focuses on protecting the U.S. herd from endemic and foreign animal diseases. Listen to Dr. Dustin Oedekoven on The Swine it Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.