The North American African Swine Fever Forum (NA-ASF) took place in Ottawa recently to continue to advance regional cooperation in the prevention and mitigation of the impact of ASF in the Americas. This was the fourth NA-ASF it continued the collaboration that began in 2019, when Canada first hosted the event. Since then, the United States, Mexico and Canada have co-hosted the forum, rotating its location among the three countries to continue to advance regional cooperation in the prevention and mitigation of the impact of ASF in the Americas.
“Canada was proud to host the 4th North American African Swine Fever Forum, which brought together international and domestic experts, industry leaders and government representatives. This forum demonstrates our shared commitment to protecting North America’s pig herds and the pork sector from the serious threat of ASF,” Mary Jane Ireland, Canada’s Chief Veterinary Officer
The forum examined the past, present, and future of key areas critical to managing ASF, structured around the 4 pillars recognized in the original framework for action to mitigate the risks of ASF: Canadian branches that lead each of the pillars.
- Enhanced biosecurity and prevention
(led by Canadian Pork Council) - Preparedness planning (led by Canadian
Food Inspection Agency - Ensure business continuity (led by
Canadian Meat Council - Coordinated risk communications (led
by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture,
Food & Agribusiness)
The ASF Management Board was established to bring together federal/provincial/territorial governments and industry (FPTI) representatives to provide guidance and to prioritize activities under the Pan-Canadian Action Plan on ASF. Board include members from: Canadian Pork Council (CPC); Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA); Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC); Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA); Canadian Meat Council (CMC) and Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec provincial governments. The work that has been done under each pillar highlights the unprecedented collaboration between FPTI, academia and other stakeholders at all levels.
It is only fitting to showcase some of the Top Accomplishments in the past few years.
Pillar 1 – Prevention and Enhanced Biosecurity
Canadian Swine Biosecurity Guideline; Biosecurity Benchmark Tools; Biosecurity toolkit; Mandatory training; Detector dog teams and Canada’s Invasive Wild Pig Strategy.
Pillar 2 – Preparedness Planning
CFIA’s ASF- Hazard Specific Plan (CanSpot ASF); Tabletop exercises; Large-scale, multi-stakeholder exercise; Integrated Emergency Response Plan Framework for ASF (IERP); CanSpot ASF Program; Canadian Swine Depopulation Method Reference document and Movement Risk Mitigation Recommendations.
Pillar 3 – Ensuring Business Continuity
Surplus Swine Depopulation Plan; ASF zoning standards; Compartmentalization Program; CFIA’s ASF-IPP funding program and Model for Shared Costs.
Pillar 4 – Coordinated Risk Communications
Information Flow; ASF Emergency Communication Guide; Contact list; Traveller awareness campaign and Communications resources for project/programs.
Animal Health Canada is honoured to have coordinated Canada’s ASF planning, preparedness, and readiness for response.
Ireland added, “I wish to extend a thank you to all forum participants for their collaboration, in particular my counterparts Dr. Rosemary Sifford, Chief Veterinary Officer of the United States, and Dr. Juan Gay Gutiérrez, Chief Veterinary Officer of Mexico.” •
