OTTAWA, ON, Dec. 16, 2025 /CNW/ - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has secured an African swine fever (ASF) zoning arrangement with the Philippines as part of Canada's ongoing preparedness activities, helping maintain access to the Philippine market while the CFIA carries out its mandate to protect animal health.
This arrangement is intended to allow trade to continue from ASF-free areas if ASF were ever detected in Canada. Under the arrangement, trade restrictions on Canadian live pigs, pork products and related commodities would be limited to the affected area, rather than applying to all of Canada.
The Philippines is an important market for Canadian pork exports. In 2024, Canada exported approximately $279 million in pork and pork products to the Philippines.
Although Canada is free of ASF, it continues to spread globally. ASF is not a food safety or human health risk, but it is a contagious and fatal disease in pigs. An outbreak would seriously impact Canada's domestic and wild pig herds, pork producers and the broader economy.
Securing zoning arrangements in advance of any ASF detection is an important part of Canada's preparedness efforts. Canada continues to work closely with trading partners to support trade continuity while safeguarding animal health. The Philippines is a priority market under Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy. This arrangement reflects technical collaboration between the two countries. That cooperation was reaffirmed this past summer when Minister Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, met with the Philippines' Secretary of Agriculture, Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., in Manila.
Canada now has seven ASF zoning arrangements in place with the United States, the European Union, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates and the Philippines. Together, these markets represent nearly 40% of Canada's pork export value, helping reduce the trade impacts of ASF and strengthening Canada's overall preparedness through international collaboration.
Quotes
"Securing ASF zoning arrangements is an important part of Canada's preparedness efforts. This work helps maintain market stability for producers if ASF were to be detected in Canada. The Philippines is an important market in the Indo-Pacific region and this arrangement strengthens our cooperation and supports Canada's broader efforts to keep supply chains open and resilient."
-- Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
"The work done by both countries in this arrangement will help ensure greater food security for the Philippines and a science-based approach to resolving this challenge – one we hope never impacts Canadian pork producers."
-- René Roy, Chair, Canadian Pork Council
"We congratulate Minister Heath MacDonald and the Canadian officials who helped make this happen, and we congratulate the Philippines for their work in ensuring they are satisfied with our preparations and planning for African Swine Fever, should it ever reach our shores."
-- Stephen Heckbert, Executive Director, Canadian Pork Council
Quick facts
- Canada is free of African swine fever. The disease is not a food safety or human health risk, but it is a contagious and fatal disease in pigs.
- Zoning arrangements are formal understandings between Canada and specific trading partners that outline how trade from disease-free zones should be treated if ASF is detected.
- Canada has ASF zoning arrangements with the United States, the European Union, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates and the Philippines. Work continues with other trading partners.
- In 2024, Canada exported approximately $279 million in pork and pork products to the Philippines.
- Canada's pork industry contributes over $24 billion annually to the Canadian economy and supports approximately 100,000 jobs.
- Canada exports nearly 70% of its pork production each year.
Associated links
- African swine fever (Canadian Food Inspection Agency)
- Government of Canada announces up to $45.3 million to enhance African swine fever prevention and preparedness
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Each day, hard-working Canadian Food Inspection Agency employees--including inspectors, veterinarians, and scientists--inspect food for safety risks, work to protect plants from pests and invasive species, and respond to animal diseases that could threaten Canada's animal resource base and human health. Guided by science-based decision-making and modern regulations, the Agency verifies that food sold in Canada is safe while supporting access to international markets for our high-quality agricultural products. To learn more, visit inspection.canada.ca
SOURCE Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
