BSE was a nightmare for the Canadian beef industry 23 years ago with export markets shut down for many months and even years.

The Canadian pork sector does not want a repeat of BSE, if a case of African Swine Fever (ASF) was ever discovered in our country. It has been working to establish a series of so-called “zoning agreements”. The latest is with Japan—–a major buyer of Canadian pork. Cam Dahl is the General Manager of Manitoba Pork.

Under a zoning agreement, if there was ever an ASF case in Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency would establish a containment zone around the positive case. It would prove to trade partners that the disease is contained within that zone. It would allow the pork trade to continue in other parts of the country.

Canada has eight “zone agreements” covering eight key markets, including the United States, Japan, Singapore and the Philippines. In addition to protecting pork producers, it would mean fewer disruptions for processors and their many employees.