Manitoba Pork is applauding federal efforts to African Swine Fever out of Canada.
The introduction of African Swine Fever into Canada would put over 100 thousand jobs in jeopardy and could cost the Canadian economy 24 billion dollars.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency will host the first international ASF forum in Ottawa April 30th to May 1st in an effort strengthen global cooperation to stop the spread of this disease.
George Matheson, the Chair of Manitoba Pork, says ASF is considered a foreign animal disease so, if Canada got a single case, our borders would close to all nations.
It can travel in many different ways. Probably our two primary concerns would be with regards to illegally imported meat and feed products which could, we’re thinking, primarily come from the Pacific, more specifically China. CFIA, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency with the Department of Agriculture in regards to the Federal Government of Canada are making producers aware of how it can be transported.
In terms of feed quarantine the rule of thumb is holding the feed for 20 days at 20 degrees or 100 days at 10 degrees, which ever is more convenient before being used so that the virus can die. Also I believe the federal government has invested 36 million dollars in sniffer dogs at the west coast port of Vancouver primarily to detect illegally imported meat in luggage coming home from China.
~ George Matheson, Manitoba Pork
For more on African Swine Fever or the ASF forum, Matheson encourages those interested to contact Manitoba Pork directly.
