Today Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) approved PIC’s PRRS-resistant pigs for sale as food in Canada after rigorous and thorough review. Additionally, Environment & Climate Change Canada (ECCC) conducted its own review of the research and data and concluded that PRRS-resistant pigs may now be manufactured or imported in Canada.
“We have spent years conducting extensive research, validating our findings and working with the Canadian government to gain approval,” said Matt Culbertson, PIC’s Chief Operating Officer. “Today marks a major milestone for consumers, farmers, and the entire pork industry who have hoped for relief from PRRS for decades.”
Review of research and data confirms safety
Health Canada and CFIA conducted scientific assessments that ensured the pigs are safe for consumption and do not differ from other pigs available on the market. Their evaluation led them to conclude that aside from the precise deletion of a small part of a gene involved in PRRS infection, the PRRS-resistant pigs are no different than other pigs.
Health Canada and CFIA further concluded that there are no differences in the nutritional value of the pork from PRRS-resistant pigs compared to other pork available for consumption.
How removing animal disease can improve animal welfare
Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) is one of the most devastating, global swine diseases. It causes needless suffering and premature death for pigs, negatively impacts animal welfare, exacerbates the need for antibiotics and increases the environmental impact of raising pigs.
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