Canadian and Japanese governments reach ASF zoning agreement

The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) congratulates the Government of Canada and the Government of Japan for their announced agreement on the recognition of containment zones in the event of an African swine fever (ASF) outbreak, an important step in cooperation between the two countries.

“Securing this zoning arrangement with Japan is an important step in protecting Canada’s pork sector. It helps support market stability for producers while reinforcing a science-based approach to trade and animal health. As one of the most important export markets for Canadian pork, maintaining reliable access to Japan is critical to the long-term success and competitiveness of our producers," said Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

“This is a vote of confidence in our two reporting and disease management systems, and we congratulate Canada’s Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. Heath MacDonald, and the Hon. Norikazu Suzuki, Japan’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, for their teams’ efforts to bring this agreement to this positive conclusion,” said René Roy, chair, Canadian Pork Council.

Japan is Canada’s largest export market by value, and serving this market with outstanding pork of the highest quality is a source of pride for Canadian producers from coast to coast.

Zoning agreements assist in quickly resuming trade, which will lessen the impact of any outbreak and allow the industry and the province to return to normal operations.

They are particularly important in the case of ASF, which is an internationally reportable disease that has devastated swine herds around the world. ASF has never been detected in pigs in Canada.

Canada currently has zoning agreements with the United States, the European Union, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, and the Philippines

“Thanks to this agreement with Japan, just over 55 per cent of Canadian pork exports are now to countries with whom we have a zoning agreements,” said Roy. “These agreements, and the government and industry collaboration that let government reach them, are significant milestones that reduce the long-term risk of financial harm to Canadian farmers, and the Canadian economy, should this disease ever impact our country.”

Canada is free of ASF. The disease is not a food safety or human health risk, but it is a contagious and fatal disease in pigs.